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Updated: May 24, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Spinal versus general anesthesia in cesarean sections: the effects on postoperative pain perception
Roy Kessous1, Adi Y Weintraub, Arnon Wiznitzer
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. kessousr@bgu.ac.il
Objective:
To compare postoperative pain perception and analgesia requirements in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) using general versus spinal anesthesia.
Study Design:
A prospective, observational study of patients undergoing elective CS during 2009 under either general or spinal anesthesia. Postoperative pain intensity and analgesia requirements were evaluated for up to 48 h after surgery.
Results:
A total of 153 women were enrolled; 77 received general and 76 received regional anesthesia. Postoperative meperidine requirements in the first 24 h were significantly higher in the general anesthesia group. Pain scores were mostly comparable between the groups. Nevertheless, lower pain scores were graded after 8 h in the general versus the spinal anesthesia and this reversed at 48 h.
Conclusion:
Spinal anesthesia is comparable to general anesthesia in terms of post-operative pain control. In choosing the type of anesthesia in CS, other factors such as the urgency and potential maternal and fetal hazards should be taken into account.
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