فهرست مطالب alireza ebrahim soltani

Preoperative anxiety in children is a common problem that can affect the anesthesia and postoperative period. Numerous methods, mainly pharmacological ones, have been used for controlling preoperative stress. Acupressure is a simple, noninvasive, and cost-effective method that has been used as a perioperative medicine for controlling pain or preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate the effect of acupressure and oral midazolam on preoperative anxiety control.

76 patients were randomly included in the study before surgery. Whereas in one group, 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam was prescribed 15 minutes before the induction, in another group, acupressure of EXHN-3 point was applied for 15 minutes. In both groups, the patients’ separation anxiety level, Ramsay score, recovery length, and RN satisfaction factor were recorded and compared.

Children aged 1–7 years received either oral midazolam or acupressure. Although the children in the midazolam group had lower rates of preoperative anxiety and showed easier separation from their parents, the difference was not statistically significant P= (0.076). Ramsay sedation scale, was compared in the two groups. The overall difference was not statistically significant. The satisfaction of the PACU nurse was recorded using a 4-point scale. The two groups were statistically comparable in this regard (P=0.155). The only variable with a significant difference between the two groups was the mean recovery time, which was significantly shorter in acupressure group (P<0.001).

Acupressure can reduce preoperative anxiety in children; however, this effect is less than the effect of oral midazolam.

Mask ventilation is one of the most important aspects of managing and maintaining a patient’s airway. Performing good mask ventilation can avoid the need for intubation.

This study aimed to compare the ventilation quality of two different mask-holding techniques in infants: The three-finger grip and the three-finger grip plus the newly-devised submental maneuver.

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial included 90 infants under 1 year of age undergoing elective surgery under general inhalation anesthesia in Tehran Children’s Medical Center. Each patient was randomly allocated to one of the interventional groups, and general anesthesia was induced using one of the mask-holding techniques before intubation. Demographic data for each patient was collected. Expired tidal volume (VTE) was assessed quantitatively by the Drager machine and then classified into three groups of quality of breath flow as either good (5 - 7 mL/kg), fair (3 - 5 mL/kg), or bad (< 3 mL/kg).

In this study, VTE was shown to be statistically significantly better in the submental maneuver compared with the three-finger grip. Good, fair, and bad qualities were recorded for 30, 15, and 0 patients in the three-finger grip group and 39, 6, and 0 patients in the submental maneuver group, respectively (P = 0.025). Classifying patients into four groups of body mass index (BMI), 10 - 14, 15 - 19, 20 - 24, and 25 - 29, we compared VTE between the two techniques within each group. The results showed that in the BMI group of 20 - 24, the quality of breath flow was statistically significantly better in the submental maneuver (P = 0.047).

Adding the submental maneuver to the three-finger grip seems to provide better expired tidal volume in infants. Also, it seems that in children with higher BMI and larger submental soft tissue, the submental maneuver provides better ventilation quality than the three-finger grip.

The head's position during mask ventilation on the time of anesthesia induction in children may improve the lung ventilation.

Current study was designed to verify whether lateral head rotation improves face mask ventilation efficiency during anesthesia induction in children.

Fifty-six patients aged 1-4 years, candidate for elective surgery, were randomly divided into two equal groups. During induction of general anesthesia, face mask lung ventilation of patients continued with pressure-controlled mode, at a peak pressure level of 10 cmH2O for children 13-24 months and 14cmH20 for children 24-48 month. In patients in the N group, the head position during ventilation was initially in the neutral position for one minute, then the head was axially rotated 45-degree to the right position for one minute and pulmonary ventilation continued in this position, then the head was rotated again to the neutral position and ventilation continued for one minute. In group R patients, mode and time of ventilation was the same, but the order of head placement was first in the lateral rotated to the right, then neutral and then lateral rotated to the right. The primary outcome was the measurement of expiratory tidal volume in each position.

Generally, the mean measured expiratory tidal volume did not change in the neutral position compared to laterally rotated head position, 256.6 vs. 233.5 ml: difference -23.1 [95% confidence interval: 10.8 to 39.4 ml]. Also, the change of head position from lateral to neutral position did not show a significant change in the mean expiratory tidal volume, 232.28 vs.247.86 ml: difference -15 .82 (p= 0.4).

The rotation of the head to the lateral position during induction of anesthesia in apnoeic children 1-4 years old could not improve the efficiency of mask ventilation relative to the neutral head position.

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) is known as an important diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the evaluation of respiratory disorders in pediatric population.

The study aims to highlight common indications and risk of complications associated with bronchoscopy in our population.

This retrospective evaluation was performed in all patients that underwent flexible bronchoscopy at Children’s Medical Center (affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences) between April 2011 and September 2016.

Of 800 bronchoscopies, 574 (71.7%) were performed for diagnostic and 226 (28.2%) for therapeutic purposes. Major indications included radiographic abnormalities (30%), a foreign body or suspected foreign body (28.5% of all FFBs) and stridor or wheezing (25% of all FBB). The incidence of major complications associated with FFBs was 0.87%. The most frequent complication was pneumothorax, followed by lung hemorrhage, and respiratory failure.

Our findings support early intervention and utilization of bronchoscopy in the pediatric population with variable respiratory complaints.

- The bleeding during dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery is one of the main complications that led to the surgeon’s dissatisfaction and increased the duration of the operation. The current study aimed at comparing the effects of labetalol and nitroglycerine (TNG) on blood loss and the surgeon’s satisfaction during DCR. The current prospective and randomized study enrolled 60 patients candidate for DCR under local anesthesia and sedation and divided into two groups. When the surgeon dissatisfied with bleeding during the operation, patients in the labetalol group received labetalol infusion at a rate of 0.5-2 mg/kg and compared with the subjects in the TNG group that received TNG infusion at a rate of 0.1 µg/kg/min. Additionally, the surgical condition was assessed by the surgeon using the average category scale (ACS) and surgeon’s satisfaction by a scoring system. The average bleeding in the labetalol group was 140.5±24.5 ml versus 170.4±24.6 ml in the TNG group, respectively (P=0.001). The average category scale for the labetalol group was better than the TNG group during all the time of operation. The surgeon satisfaction score during the operation was more in the labetalol group (3.4 in the labetalol group versus 2.8 in the TNG group, respectively). Labetalol was better than TNG for controlling bleeding during DCR procedure because of decreasing surgical blood loss and optimum operative condition.

We compared hemodynamic responses following laryngeal mask airway insertion versus tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients who were scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia. We studied 48 controlled hypertensive patients that were randomly divided into two groups (n=24) for insertion of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and endotracheal intubation (EI). The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, rate pressure product (RPP), and ST-segment changes were recorded preoperatively, immediately preintubation and 1, 3, and 5 minutes after LMA insertion or tracheal intubation in all patients and compared between two groups. There was a reduction in MAP after induction and immediately preintubation in all of patients of both groups (P<0.05). The MAP, heart rate and RPP increased immediately after both LMA insertion and tracheal intubation (P<0.05). The elevation of MAP and RPP were maintained for longer time in intubation group versus LMA group (P<0.05). There was no difference between the groups with respect to ST-segment variation. The incidence of airway injury was similar between two groups. The laryngeal mask airway insertion may be preferable to endotracheal intubation in hypertensive patients where attenuation of hemodynamic stress response is desired.

Although significant advances have been made in scientific and medical technology, but the rate of medical complaints has also risen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of handling of medical malpractice cases in the hospital complaints committee on the reduction of patient complaints to law enforcement authorities. In this descriptive study, patients complained about ophthalmology from April 2005 to December 2005 at Farabi Hospital, Tehran, were evaluated. The complainant's patients, if confirmed by the trusted doctors, were invited to complaints committee, and the subject of the complaint was examined and tried to obtain patient satisfaction. A total of 87 patients complained to ophthalmologists completed a complaint form 71 (81.7%) of the cases were male. Statistically, the number of complaints was significantly lower in those with lower education (P=0.02). The prevalence of primary disease, 52 cases (59.8%) was cataract and 14 cases (16%) due to refractive errors and refractory surgery. In the examination of complaints by trusted doctors in the hospital, 11 cases of ophthalmologic error were identified, with a mantle rate of 12.6%, and the cases were reviewed by the complaints committee. Of the cases of complained that confirmed by the committee, only one person sued the law enforcement, which represented 9% of the defaulted item. These statistics showed a significant decline compared to the past year at the same center, and the percentage of defaults to law enforcement was 37.5% (P<0.05). Establishing committees to handle complaints of ophthalmologic failures in hospitals and providing a clear and honest atmosphere to hear the subject of complaints by patients and their companions, and then trying to get patients' satisfaction and helping them continue their treatment can lead to reduced complaints of patients to the authorities Legal, like forensics medicine department and medical council.

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare congenital anomaly that may be isolated or associated with other anomalies requiring prompt medical and surgical planning for optimal result. This study was conducted to show our recent experience on the outcome of treated patients in two hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). From January 2008 to May 2013 records of 43 neonates patients (23 male) with EA admitted in 2 children centers and all related data including demographic, diagnostic associated anomalies, surgical approaches, birth weight, mortality, and complications were collected. Inability of feeding and swallowing was the most common symptoms (in 90,6%), associated CHD (44%), and Type C (EA) was the most common type of EA observed in 86% patients, The mortality rate was 4.7% and most common complication was anastomotic stricture (AS) in 60% of patients. Our study showed that despite improvements in management and survival of an infant with (EA), still sepsis, aspiration pneumonia, prematurity, and low birth weight and severe Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) were independent etiology of death and birth weight < 2.500 gr has a significant effect on the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Perioperative hypothermia is common during anesthesia and surgery and is accompanied by several complications. Compared to adults, children are at a greater risk of hypothermia and its complications. The aim of this study was to compare forced air and warmer in maintaining normothermia during pediatric surgery. This randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 children undergoing elective hernia repair equally distributed in three groups of warmer, forced air and control. Patient's body temperature was recorded preoperatively, intraoperatively, at the end of surgery and at the end of the postoperative care unit (PACU) stay. Time between anesthetic discontinuation and tracheal extubation and duration of PACU stay were also noted. Intraoperative and postoperative body temperature and body temperature on exit from PACU were significantly higher in forced air group compared to warmer and control groups and in warmer group compared to control group (P

Selection of the best sedative regimen during pediatric endoscopy with greater stability in hemodynamic parameters and fewer side effects is very important. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of propofol – ketamine versus propofol – fentanyl in pediatric undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).
In this clinical trial, 130 children aged 2 to 12 years (ASA physical status I or II) were examined. Children were divided into two groups. Propofol (1.2 mg/kg) plus ketamine (1 mg/kg) was prescribed for the first group (Group PK). The second group received propofol (1.2 mg/kg) plus fentanyl (1 µg/kg) (Group PF). Hemodynamic variables and sedation scale of patients were compared between two groups.
The mean age of the children was 98.3±6.96 months and 97.15±3.56 months in group PK and group PF, respectively. Heart rate and respiratory rate values after induction in group PF were significantly lower than in group PK (p Both combinations provided effective sedation in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE, but the propofol-ketamine combination resulted in stable hemodynamics and deeper sedation although with more side effects.

During anesthesia, continuous body temperature monitoring is essential, especially in children. Anesthesia can increase the risk of loss of body temperature by three to four times. Hypothermia in children results in increased morbidity and mortality. Since the measurement points of the core body temperature are not easily accessible, near core sites, like rectum, are used.. The purpose of this study was to measure skin temperature over the carotid artery and compare it with the rectum temperature, in order to propose a model for accurate estimation of near core body temperature..Patients and Totally, 124 patients within the age range of 2 - 6 years, undergoing elective surgery, were selected. Temperature of rectum and skin over the carotid artery was measured. Then, the patients were randomly divided into two groups (each including 62 subjects), namely modeling (MG) and validation groups (VG). First, in the modeling group, the average temperature of the rectum and skin over the carotid artery were measured separately. The appropriate model was determined, according to the significance of the model’s coefficients. The obtained model was used to predict the rectum temperature in the second group (VG group). Correlation of the predicted values with the real values (the measured rectum temperature) in the second group was investigated. Also, the difference in the average values of these two groups was examined in terms of significance.. In the modeling group, the average rectum and carotid temperatures were 36.47 ± 0.54°C and 35.45 ± 0.62°C, respectively. The final model was obtained, as follows: Carotid temperature × 0.561 + 16.583 = Rectum temperature. The predicted value was calculated based on the regression model and then compared with the measured rectum value, which showed no significant difference (P = 0.361).. The present study was the first research, in which rectum temperature was compared with that of skin over carotid artery, to find a safe location with easier access and higher accuracy for estimating near core body temperature. Results obtained in this study showed that, using a model, it is possible to evaluate near core body temperature in children, by measuring skin temperature over carotid artery..

Cutis laxa is rare and hetrogenous group of disorders related to abnormalities in elastic tissue. It may be autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X linked or acquired. Acquired cutis laxa has developed after a febrile illness, inflammatory skin disease such a lupus eryhymatosis or erythema multiform, amyloidosis, hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin and in infants born from women who were taking penicillamine. Patients with cutis laxa have facial features,.pulmonary emphysema, cor-pulmonale, and right-sided heart failure.We present a case with cutis laxa undescended testis, and mild pulmonary stenosis.

Cries of the newborn could be due to pain, thirst, hungry and fear from new environment. In our study we evaluated the effect of the sucrose drops on pacifying the children prior to a painful intervention or procedure with regards to the fasting condition of the children. This triple blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 otherwise healthy children aged less than 1 year with ASA I, who were candidates for an outpatient surgical procedure after obtaining the parents’ consent. Patients were divided in to two groups, one group received 0.5 ml oral sterile water and the other group 0.5 ml oral sucrose 24%. Heart rate and restlessness were evaluated based on the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale score system before and at 1, 3, 5, and 9 minute in both groups. 60 patients were evaluated in this study, 30 patients received sterile water and 30 patients received sucrose 24%. The sex, mean age and mean weight of the patients showed no significant difference between the two groups. The restlessness score according to the PAED in sucrose group (8.1,7.97,8.8,9.63) is less than in the sterile water group (10.63,10.77,11,10.9) (p‹0.001). Heart rate in sucrose group is less than sterile water group in minute 3 (p=0.006). Parents’ satisfaction in the sucrose group was more than sterile water group (p‹0.001). According to the findings of this study, we recommend the use of sucrose alone or with other methods (pacifier sucking, mother’s hug) to decrease restlessness in children aged under one year whose restlessness is due to fasting.

Emergence delirium (ED) is a frequent postoperative complication in children. Its prevalence is about 25-80% and is observed more commonly with rapid-acting volatile anesthetics than the older inhalation agents. 30 patients aging between 2 to 8 years were included in this randomized double blind study. We compared the effect of combination of two anesthetic drugs, Propofol-Ketamine and Sevoflurane- Ketamine, on ED and pain after general anesthesia in pediatric patients undergoing interventional cardiac angiography. Agitation was measured by PAED (Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium) scoring system) and pain by the CHEOPS (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Scale). Emergence delirium in 10th minute of recovery was higher in propofol group (7.6±4.47 vs 5.07±3.31, p=0.047) but it was the same between the groups during the rest of recovery times. Pain scores were higher only at the moment of entrance to recovery room in sevoflurane group (6.27±1.99 vs 5.1±1.06, p<0.001). Mean recovery time was shorter in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group (33.83±15.239 vs 51.67±20.585, p=0.02). Nausea and vomitting was more frequent in the sevoflurane group (6.6% vs 0%, p, 0.001), which needed no treatment. There are some minor differences between sevoflurane-ketamine and propofol-ketamine anesthesia. If the length of recovery is not an issue and the patients are not at high risk of nausea and vomiting, either sevoflurane-ketamine combined anesthesia or propofol-ketamine infusion can be suitably used to anesthetise patients for the pediatric cardiac catheterization procedures.

Spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) represent a rare group of inherited disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. The exact cause of the degeneration is unknown. Loss of these cells results in a progressive lower motor neuron disease that has no sensory involvement and that is manifested as hypotonia, weakness, and progressive paralysis. Kugelberg Welander spinal muscular atrophy (also known as Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander syndrome or mild SMA) is a milder form of SMA, with symptoms typically presenting after age 18 months. Here in we report a case of anesthetic management of a patient with Kugelberg Welander disease who was refered for squint surgery and also we reviewed some other cases of SMA patients receiving different types of anesthesia.

Ketamine is the only anesthetic agent that leads to an increase of blood pressure and heart rate by activation of sympathetic nervous system. However, there is a controversy about this effect of ketamine especially if used in small dosage. We proposed to evaluate the hemodynamic effect of small dose of ketamine during Phacoemulsification. One hundred patients of ASA physical status I-III were chosen for this prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-control study. Our patients were assigned randomly to two groups, ketamine group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). After premedication, 0.15 mg/kg ketamine was injected intravenously in ketamine group. After three minutes Phacoemulsification was begun under topical anesthesia. The hemodynamic variables were recorded during the procedure and compared between two groups. The systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure were statistically significantly higher in the ketamine group (p<0.001) during the procedure. The heart rate during operation was higher in the ketamine group compared to control group (p<0.001). 46 (92%) patients in the ketamine group and 38 (76%) patients in the control group were satisfied according to surgeons (p=0. 001). Nausea and vomiting occurred at similar rates in each group. Also, hallucination and other psychological events did not occur in either of the groups. We found that systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure in patients who received small dose of ketamine were higher during the operation.

Aim and This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of adding midazolam or S-Ketmine to caudal bupivacaine in order to prolong the postoperative analgesis duration. Methods and Materials: 60 children with ASA physical status I or II and scheduled for elective surgery below the umbilicus, were enrolled in this double blinded clinical trial. The patients were placed in three different groups. In the 1st group 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine, in the 2nd group 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, and in the 3rd group 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 50 µg/kg midazolam were used. There were no differences between the groups in demographic and haemodynamic state, duration of surgery and anaesthesia, time to extubation or sedation score.The mean duration of postoperative analgesia were 19 h, 14.5 h, and 8 h in the 3rd, 2nd, and the 1st groups, respectively.Although there were more episodes of nausea and vomiting emergence reaction in the 2nd group, the difference did not seem significant. Addition of preservative-free S-Ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or midazolam (50 µg/kg) to caudal bupivacaine provides significant prolongation of analgesia without producing significant negative side-effects.

Aim and Rapid and Confident induction of anesthesia is a goal for the anesthesiologist. In the meanwhile, most of anesthetic drugs are not without complication. In this study we evaluated the effects of anesthesia induction with halothane by single breath on hemodynamic parameters in pediatric patients. Methods and Materials: In this study 50 children were enrolled. For induction of anesthesia the single breath method with 5% halothane and O2- N2O (30-70%) mixture was used. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, 1 minute after induction, 1 minute after using muscle relaxant, and 3 minutes after intubation. The heart rate and QT interval were recorded by ECG. Halothane significantly prolonged the corrected QT (QTC); it caused a mild increase in heart rate which reduced again after using muscle relaxant. However, another heart rate elevation occurred three minutes after intubation.Blood pressure decreased after induction and even after intubation which was statistically significant. Halothane is an arrhythmogenic drug which can prolong QTC in pediatric patients. Moreover, our study shows that it can decrease blood pressure and heart rate at the same time.

Peribulbar anesthesia is widely applied in cataract surgeries. The aim of this study was comparing the effect of using Atracourium, cis-Atracourium, and placebo as adjuvant agents to the local anesthetic substance on peribulbar-induced akinesia in cataract surgeries. The study was double-blind randomized clinical trial, among the patients candidate for the cataract surgery who were hospitalized in ocular surgery ward in Farabi Hospital between 2006 and 2007. 90 patients were subcategorized into 3 groups randomly. Group I received a mixture (8 ml) containing equal parts of Marcaine 0.5%, Lidocaine 2% and Hyaluronidase 90 IU plus 0.5 ml normal saline; group II received the mixture (8 ml) plus 0.5 ml Atracourium 5 mg, and group III received the mixture (8 ml) plus 0.5 ml cis-Atracurium with the help of peribulbar blockage technique. The score of akinesia were evaluated in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th minutes after administration of the medications. 10 minute after drug administration, 25 (92.6%) reached the total akinesia with Atracourium, 23 (85.2%) with cis-Atracourium, and 23 (85.2%) with the placebo (P>0.05). Addition of low-dose Atracourium and cis-Atracourium to the anesthetic drug is recommended in order to accelerate the onset of akinesia resulted by the peribulbar block, and in order to enhance the quality of akinesia especially when Hyaloronidaze is not added.

To compare the efficacy of acupressure wrist bands, ondansetron, metoclopramide and placebo in the prevention of vomiting and nausea after strabismus surgery. Two hundred patients, ASA physical status I or II, aged between 10 and 60 years, undergoing strabismus surgery in Farabi Hospital in 2007-2008 years, were included in this randomized, prospective, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Group I was the Control, group II received metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg, group III received ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg iv just before induction, in Group IV acupressure wristbands were applied at the P6 points. Acupressure wrist bands were placed inappropriately in Groups I, II and III. The acupressure wrist bands were applied 30 min prior to the induction of anesthesia and removed six hours after surgery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was evaluated within 0-2 hours and 2-24 hours after surgery by a blinded observer. Results were analyzed by X2 test. A P value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. The incidence of PONV was not significantly different in acupressure, metoclopramide and ondansetron during the 24 hours. Acupressure at P6 causes a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV 24 hours after strabismus surgery as well as metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg and ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg iv for patients aged 10 or more

To compare the clinical efficacy of acupressure with treatment induced by ondansetron and metoclopramide on reduction of the severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after strabismus surgery. There were 200 patients with ASA classes I-II, ages 10 to 60 years old, who underwent strabismus surgery that were included in this randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Group I was the control, group II received metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg, and group III received ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg intravenously immediately prior to anesthesia induction. In Group IV, acupressure wristbands were applied at the P6 points. Acupressure wrist bands were not placed appropriately for subjects of groups I-III. The acupressure wrist bands were applied 30 minutes before anesthesia induction and removed six hours after surgery completion. Anesthesia was standardized. PONV was evaluated within 0 – 2 hours and 2 – 24 hours after surgery by a blinded observer. Results were analyzed by the Chi-square or Fisher exact test. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. The incidence of PONV was not significantly different among acupressure, metoclopramide and ondansetron groups during 24 hours. Also, the severity of PONV was not significantly different between acupressure, metoclopramide, and ondansetron in the recovery and ward. Acupressure at the P6 point causes a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of PONV 24 hours after strabismus surgery as well as metoclopramide (0.2 mg/kg) and ondansetron (0.15 mg/kg) intravenous for patients aged 10 or older. (Irct ID: IRCT138807152556N1)

There are controversies regarding the effects of spinal and general anesthesia on newborns’ apgar score, thus the present study was conducted on newborns delivered through a cesarean section to determine the effects of each type of anesthesia on apgar score. It was a clinical trial. Parturients candidated for elective cesarean section were randomly divided in two groups. 91 parturients undertook general anesthesia and 92 spinal anesthesia. General anesthesia was performed using nesdonal (5mg/kg) and succynil choline (1.5mg/kg) and the spinal anesthesia was achieved by 2 ml of lidocaine 5%. Maternal age, the time interval between the start of operation and uterine incision, uterine incision and newborn delivery, as well apgar score of the 1st and 5th minutes were recorded. Totally, 84 subjects in the general anesthesia and 90 in the spinal anesthesia group were studied. There was no significant difference between maternal age, the time interval between the start of operation and uterine incision, uterine incision and newborn delivery and the apgar score of the 5th minute (NS). Apgar score of the first minute was 8.6±1.2 and 9.1±1.1 in the general and spinal anesthesia group, respectively (p<0.01). Spinal anesthesia has slighter effect on first minute apgar score than the general anesthesia. Further studies regarding the effects of the epidural anesthesia are strongly suggested.