Effect of pre-gestational and gestational periodic body mass index on nausea and vomiting during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean operation

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of nausea-vomiting according to the body mass index (BMI). Design: Prospective, case-control study Setting: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Konya Education and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey Subjects: We prospectively enrolled 120 parturients with term pregnancy, aged 18 - 40 years and who were scheduled for elective caesarean section (C/S) under spinal anesthesia. Patients were divided into 2 groups, as obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30). We also recorded the incidence of nausea and vomiting within 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia. Intervention: Non-interventional Main outcome measure: We have investigated the effect of obesity on the incidence of nausea-vomiting in elective C/S under spinal anesthesia. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to ASA physical status, age, gestational age and smoking, all measurement times (p = 0.495, p = 0.780, p = 0.268, p >0.05, respectively) and incidence of nausea-vomiting. Mean blood pressure was significantly lower in Group II compared to Group I at the beginning of surgery and 20th minute of the surgery (p <0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: In the study sample, pre-gestational and gestational BMI ≥30 kg/m2 was not a risk factor for nauseavomiting after spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing C/S. However, hypotension was found to significantly influence nausea-vomiting of the patients.