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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Patient preferences for anesthesia outcomes associated with cesarean delivery
Brendan Carvalho1, Sheila E Cohen, Steven S Lipman
1*Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; and †Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, Bronx, New York.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|September 30, 2005
Summary
Pregnant patients undergoing cesarean delivery (CS) prioritize pain relief during and after surgery above other side effects. Understanding these preferences can guide anesthesiologists in selecting optimal neuraxial anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetric Anesthesia
- Patient Preferences
- Cesarean Delivery
Background:
- Anesthesiologists balance pain relief with side effect risks for cesarean delivery (CS) anesthesia.
- No prior studies investigated obstetric patients' anesthesia preferences for CS.
- Patient-centered care necessitates understanding preferences in medical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine obstetric patients' preferences for intraoperative and postoperative anesthesia outcomes during CS.
- To explore patients' fears, concerns, and tolerance regarding CS and analgesics.
- To inform anesthetic choices by incorporating patient priorities.
Main Methods:
- 100 written surveys administered to pregnant women attending an expectant parent class.
- Priority ranking and relative value scales used to assess importance of anesthesia outcomes.
- Analysis of 82 returned surveys to identify patient concerns and preferences.
Main Results:
- Pain during and after CS was the paramount concern for parturients.
- Other significant concerns included vomiting, nausea, cramping, pruritus, and shivering.
- Patients indicated a tolerance for a visual analog pain score of 56 +/- 22 before risking fetal exposure to analgesics.
Conclusions:
- Obstetric patients undergoing CS prioritize pain management significantly over other potential side effects.
- Patient preferences should be integrated into anesthetic decision-making for cesarean delivery.
- Findings contrast with general surgical patients who prioritize nausea and vomiting.
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