The effects of maternal position during induction of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery

Abstract

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) is a popular technique for cesarean delivery. Regional blocks in obstetrics are often performed with the parturient in the sitting position because the midline may be recognized more easily than in the lateral decubitus position. When conventional spinal anesthesia is performed in the sitting position, the patient is placed supine immediately after drug injection. In contrast, when CSE is performed with the woman sitting, there is a delay in assuming the supine position because of epidural catheter placement, which may affect the incidence of hypotension. Healthy women, at term of pregnancy, about to undergo an elective cesarean section under CSE, were randomly assigned to the sitting or lateral recumbent position for initiation of the block. All parturients were given 1000 mL of lactated Ringer's solution in the 15 min preceding induction and an additional 300-500 mL while the actual block was being performed. On completion of the CSE, they were turned to the supine position with left uterine displacement. A second anesthesiologist, blinded to the woman's position during CSE, evaluated the sensory level of anesthesia, maternal heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, need for ephedrine, and occurrence of nausea and vomiting. Results are expressed as mean +/- SD. Twelve women were studied in the sitting group and 10 were studied in the lateral recumbent group. The severity and duration of hypotension were greater in those parturients who had CSE induced in the sitting (47%+/-7% and 6+/-3 min, respectively) compared with the lateral recumbent position (32%+/-14% and 3+/-2 min, respectively). Women in the sitting group also required twice as much ephedrine (38+/-18 mg) to correct hypotension compared with the other group (17+/-12 mg). In conclusion, the severity and duration of hypotension were greater when CSE was induced in the sitting compared with the lateral decubitus position.

Implications: We studied the induction of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) in the sitting versus lateral recumbent positions in healthy women undergoing a scheduled cesarean delivery. The severity and duration of hypotension were greater when CSE was induced in the sitting position. Thus, the position used for induction of CSE should be among the factors considered when there is greater maternal or fetal risk from hypotension.