Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: One of the metabolic responses to surgical stress indicates itself in serum glucose level changes. Some studies have shown that hypoglycemia occurs after spinal anesthesia. In this study, pregnant women’s blood glucose changes were measured before, during and after cesarean section under Lidocaine spinal anesthesia.

Methods: The study was conducted as a pre-post clinical trial. Full term pregnant women, candidate for cesarean section having referred to Rasol Akarm Hospital and during 2007-2008, in Tehran, were enrolled. All women underwent similar spinal anesthesia with Lidocaine 5%. Their blood glucose levels were measured simultaneously with glucometer on three occasions (before, 0.5 hr after the beginning of anesthesia, and during recovery).

Results: One hundred fifty four women enrolled in the study. The means of serum glucose level reduced after cesarean section. Although the mean of serum glucose level increased in recovery room, it was significantly less than the baseline level (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Our finding showed that spinal anesthesia with Lidocaine reduced serum glucose level in women undergoing cesarean section.