[Anesthetic management for cesarean section involving placenta previa]

There are few consistent anesthetic guidelines how to manage cesarean section in the presence of placenta previa. Main problem may be hemorrhage, as occasionary unexpected massive bleeding leads to life-threatening hemorrhage.

We investigated retrospectively, covering the period between April 1, 2001 and September 30, 2005, 30 women with placenta previa who had undergone cesarean section.

Comparing general anesthesia with regional anesthesia, there was not a significant difference between the two. Comparing totalis (T) with partial (P) in the classification of placenta previa, infusion and hemorrhage in T group were more pronounced than those in the P group. Regarding these operations performed during the weekend or at night, shortage of supportive anesthesiologist was pointed out.

These results indicate that regional and general anesthesia did not differ in the intraoperative incidence. In all cases at least two anesthesiologists and at least two venous lines are necessary to manage cesarean section in the presence of placenta previa.