Evolving pattern of anaesthesia for caesarean section experience at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

The WHO puts caesarean section rate in Nigeria at 1.8%. This is much higher in teaching, specialist and referral hospitals. In our centre University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the average annual rate is 33.4%. General anaesthesia is the predominant choice for caesarean section (C/S) in most centres. The trend is increasing towards regional anaesthesia. Many studies have reported the trend in several centres. This study examined the evolving pattern in our centre. To examine the evolving pattern of anaesthetic technique for caesarean section, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. A ten-year retrospective period (2001-2010), data were pooled from the computerized data system of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. Also, anaesthetic chart and staff records from the department of anaesthesiology were studied. Information about C/S, anaesthetic method and anaesthetist profile were derived from these sources. The data were analysed and presented as simple frequency and nominal data. Six thousand, six hundred and eleven C/S were done over the 10-year period. Emergency C/S was 82%, while 12% were elective cases. Average annual rate of anaesthetic technique used was regional anaesthesia 76.5% and general anaesthesia 23.5%. The use of regional anaesthesia grew from 30% in 2001, to 89% in 2010. Number of anaesthetists increased from 22 in 2001 to 37 in 2010. The study shows an increasing use of regional anaesthesia for C/S, predominantly subarachnoid blockade.