SPINAL-ANESTHESIA FOR CESAREAN-SECTION - EFFECT OF SPROTTE NEEDLE ORIENTATION

We induced spinal anaesthesia in 100 women presenting for elective Cae sarean section with the mother in the right lateral position. Patients were allocated randomly to have the side eye of the 24-gauge Sprotte spinal needle painting in one of four directions: group A, cephalad; g roup B, right lateral; group C, left lateral; group D, Isobaric bupiva caine 0.5% (2.5 ml) was over 30 s before the mother was placed supine with a 15 degrees left lateral tilt. Onset time and height of the subs equent analgesic and anaesthetic blocks were assessed by a blinded obs erver. Onset of sensory block to T4 was significantly faster in group A (P = 0.001). There were no differences in final block height, incide nce of hypotension, nausea and vomiting or ephedrine requirements.