[Comparison between ketamine, propanidid, and etomidate in general anaesthesia for caesarean section (author's...

Propanidid, etomidate, and ketamine were compared for their effects on maternal acid-base balance and circulation as well as on postnatal general condition and acid-base balance of the newborn, on the basis of 44 women in advanced pregnancy to whom caesarean section was applied in general anaesthesia. The probands had not been deliberately selected beforehand. Results obtained from the three above anaesthetics were compared with one another as well as with parameters recorded from spontaneously delivered newborns without any medication. One of the anaesthetics produced sufficiently deep anaesthesia in all patients, and no signs of central depression were recordable from the newborns. The parameters of acid-base balance, following propanidid and etomidate anaesthesia, revealed respiratory acidosis in the newborns immediately after delivery by caesarean section. Their pH values were lower than those recorded in the context of ketamine anaesthesia or spontaneous delivery without any medication. Both values returned to normal within 30 minutes from delivery. The one-minute and five-minute Apgar scores were below those of spontaneous deliveries, at the beginning, but eventually reached normal levels. All the three anaesthetics were found to be suitable for introduction of general anaesthesia for caesarean section on account of high-rate enzymatic degradation and, consequently, absence of foetal depression. Resulting oxygen supply is higher, as compared to spontaneous delivery. Early indication and short-time introduction and delivery, thus possible, have often proved to be important to the newborn's condition.