To compare the effects of Cervical Epidural Anaesthesia (CEA) with General Anaesthesia(GA) In Patients Undergoing Surgery for Carcinoma Breast. This surgery can be done under general anaesthesia or regional anaesthesia.

Methods:

In prospective randomized fashion, 60 patients were selected for Radical Mastectomy in 2 groups. These were assigned to regional anaesthesia  i.e. cervical epidural anaesthesia group(30 patients) & general anaesthesia group(30 patients) respectively. We compared the efficacy of CEA in terms of pulmonary & hemodynamic parameters, quality of block & complications & compared it with general anaesthesia.

Results:

Out of 30 patients in CEA group, 3 patients had transient bradycardia & hypotension. 2 patients had insufficient anaesthesia. No other major complications were noted. Patients undergoing GA had continuous tachycardia & increased BP throughout the surgery. The intra operative surgical field was dry in the CEA group as compared to the GA group. The side effect profile was also comparable between the 2 groups with little higher incidence of nausea & vomiting in the GA group post operatively. Patients in this group also complained of pain & demanded “Rescue Analgesia” earlier compared to the CEA group.

Conclusion:

We conclude that Cervical Epidural route can be safely used for CA Breast surgeries in view of good pulmonary & hemodynamic functions. It also gives a dry surgical field, adequate post– operative analgesia & less PONV compared to GA.