Pre-delivery Conscious Sedation with Intravenous Low Dose Thiopental Na Bolus during Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, according to the large number of cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia, finding a simple and safe pre-delivery sedation technique which provides satisfaction for mothers with no over sedation and amnesia seems to be necessary. However, there is not enough evidence about the best choice of drug for this purpose. In the present study we aimed in evaluating the clinical effects of different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75mg/kg) of thiopental Na bolus for the mother’s satisfaction in cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Methods: Two hundred and forty term singleton pregnant women with normal ASA physical status were scheduled for an elective term cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia and allocated into four groups. Groups I, II, III received 0.25, 0.5, 0.75mg/kg/IV of Thiopental Na respectively and group IV as the control group received 1.5cc of sterile water,1 min after spinal anesthesia. The level of consciousness with observer assessment of alertness/sedation score (OAA/S) and mother’s satisfaction was considered as primary outcomes.

Results: The level of mothers’ satisfaction in group II was significantly higher than other groups without any over sedation (P<0.001) and no adverse effect on their verbal contact was observed and they could easily communicate. All women could remember their infants. All babies were healthy with no complications and the Apgar scores were the same in all studied groups.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study and with comparison of different concenfrations and side effects indicates pre-delivery conscious sedation with 0. 5 mg/kg/IV of Thiopental Na could be a safe and appropriate technique for sedation in cesarean sections surgery under spinal anesthesia.