The effect of anesthesia type on stress hormone response: Comparison of general versus epidural anesthesia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different types of anesthesia on stress hormones.
Materials and Methods: The study was included 60 ASAI-II cases scheduled for major lower extremity surgery. The cases were randomized into 2  groups: The EA group was administered epidural anesthesia and the GA group was administered standard general anesthesia. In order to evaluate the surgical trauma - related stress response, CRP, TSH, cortisol, and fasting blood sugar(FBS) levels were measured preoperatively, 30 min after surgical incision, and 24 h post surgery.
Results: Between-group comparisons; Preoperative values were not  significantly different between the groups.(P > 0,05) Pulse rate and cortisol values significantly higher in general group at 30 min. (P < 0,05), and the FBS values were significantly higher in the epidural group at 24 h.(P < 0,05) There were not found differences for other parameters at evaluation times.
Conclusion: No differences were observed between the two anesthesia methods, in terms of minimizing the stress response due to surgical trauma during major low extremity surgery.

Key words: Epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia, stress hormones