A Comparative Study to Evaluate Hemodynamic Effects of Sitting and Lateral Position During Induction of Subarachnoid Block for Lower Segment Caesarean Section

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of induction position on block characteristics (sensory and motor nerves) and haemodynamic stability in caesarian section patients with bupivacaine. A note was also made about patient comfort and satisfaction.Methods: The randomized single blinded study was conducted and spinal anaesthesia was performed either in sitting or lateral position according to random allocation. Assessments of sensory, motor block and heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded for 20 minutes. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis.Results: There was no significant difference for haemodynamic variables heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The onset of anaesthesia was faster in the sitting group (4.5 minutes v/s 5.4 minutes). The motor block characteristics were similar in both the groups.The sensory and motor block was slightly intence in lateral position and took more time for both blocks to regress. The majority of patients who reported 'very comfortable' for induction position belonged to the lateral group.Conclusion: Both sitting and lateral positions have similar effects on sensory and motor blockade and haemodynamic stability. However, patients generally found lateral position very comfortable