Anesthesia technique and serum cytokine concentrations in the elective cesarean section

Anesthesiologists should obtain the best technique for cesarean section (CS). This study designed to compare the effect of general anesthesia (GA) and spinal anesthesia (SA) on immune system function in elective CS.

This descriptive study was performed on forty candidates for elective CS. They were randomly divided into GA and SA groups. The serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)‑4, IL‑6, IL‑10, and IL‑17 and interferon‑gamma (IFN‑γ) were measured using ELISA method prior to anesthesia (T0), immediately after the uterine incision (T1), 2 h post CS (T2), and 24 h post CS (T3). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi‑square, independent t‑test, and repeated measures.

No significant differences were observed between the GA and SA groups regarding the serum levels of IL‑4, IL‑6, IL‑10, IL‑17, and IFN‑γ. The serum levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGF‑β) in the SA group were significantly (P = 0.003) more than that of the GA group at T3.

According to the angiogenesis properties of TGF‑β, it seems that SA probably affects the rate of recovery more than that of the GA.