Caesarean section to prevent supine hypotension syndrome

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of posture after spinal anesthesia with 2% lidocaine and 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine in parturients undergoing caesarean section and to demonstrate our modified combined spinal epidural (CSE) method. METHODS: The patients in groups 2%lido (S) and (L) received 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and the patients in groups 0.5%bupi (S) and (L) received 1.6 ml of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine. The two (S) groups were turned into the supine position after spinal injection and the two (L) groups were kept on their left side for 10 or 15 minutes before they turned supine. All the patients received an epidural injection of 6 ml of 2% lidocaine or 6 ml of 1% ropivacaine 16 minutes after spinal injection. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the level of analgesia between the (S) groups and the (L) groups 10 minutes after spinal injection (P<0.05). The systolic blood pressures 10 minutes after spinal injection were significantly decreased than those before spinal injection in the (S)groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our modified CSE method can provide beneficial effects on full term pregnant women by preventing hypotension due to spinal anesthesia.