A Retrospective Review of 34,109 Epidural Anesthetics for Obstetric and Gynecologic Procedures at a Single Private Hospital in Turkey

BACKGROUND: We examined the safety of the routine use of epidural anesthesia by an experienced anesthetic team in a select group of obstetric and gynecologic patients. METHODS: All anesthetic records and an obstetric department database from 1993 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 35,628 cases). Success rate, major complication rates, and mortality rates were the major end-points of the study. RESULTS: We performed 34,109 epidural blocks in obstetric and gynecologic anesthesia. The epidural rate increased from 57% to 96% over a 14-yr period. Permanent neurological sequel, cardiac arrest, or mortality and maternal mortality were not seen during this period. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural anesthesia / analgesia, as performed in a private hospital in Turkey by five experienced anesthesiologists for a select group of patients, was a reliable and safe procedure.