Cesarean delivery under local anesthesia: A literature review

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy oversight and the childbirth process have been modernized with advances in medicine, which have diverged from the natural birthing process. Today many more women are opting for elective caesarean delivery (CD) to reduce the mental, physical, and painful burden of giving birth. In response to patient requests, cesarean delivery birthing procedures are now being performed around the world. In March 2017, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 32.0% of pregnancies were delivered via cesarean delivery in the U.S. Recently; there has been a focus on evaluating the use of infiltrative anesthesia during cesarean delivery. Previously infiltrative anesthesia was only considered for use in rare sittings and high-risk patients, in which general anesthesia was not readily available or contraindicated. This article focuses on the rare use of infiltrative anesthesia for cesarean delivery.; Discussion: In cases of life threatening high-risk emergency, cesarean delivery is the standard treatment. In some emergency situations or when vaginal delivery is contraindicated, barriers exist towards administration of general or regional anesthesia. A review of the literature identifies historic reports of an alternative pain management, in such scenarios. Infiltrative anesthesia for cesarean delivery has been previously used in areas where health care funds, hospital resources, and staff are limited, typically in small hospitals and rural communities.; Conclusion: Cesarean delivery under infiltrative anesthesia may be seen as an antiquated method, but it is an important clinical option as it may still have some useful applications. Cesarean delivery under infiltrative anesthesia should be viewed as an alternative in specific situations and not simply a procedure of historic interest.