Comparing two methods, that is, using a picture along with oral commands to attain correct position for spinal anaesthesia and using only oral commands to position patients for spinal anaesthesia.

Active, not recruiting

Brief Summary: Spinal anaesthesia in obstetric patients for caesarean section is one of the safest anaesthesia and has been used since many years.Spinal anaesthesia is a landmark-based technique and the most important factor in predicting the difficulty in performing spinal anaesthesia is reported to be the quality of anatomical landmarks. Apart from anatomical landmark, the adequacy of patient positioning can also predict the successful location of subarachnoid space independently.The sitting position with legs placed on the table for spinal anaesthesia is convenient to both patients and anaesthesiologists.This sitting position with knees extended may produce better reversal of lumbar lordosis, decrease frequency of bony contacts and make spinal puncture easier.This study evaluates the benefit of using visual images in addition to standard verbal instructions to optimize positioning for spinal anaesthesia in obstetric patients for caesarean section in whom positioning is difficult due to the large gravid uterus. As there are no studies regarding positioning of caesarean section patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia using a visual aid, hence the need for the study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

1.Patients who have prior experience with neuraxial blocks (including caesarean section or epidural labour analgesia).
2.Refusal to consent.
3.Major spinal deformities.
4.Any contraindication to neuraxial anaesthesia like, coagulopathies, infection at the site of injection, increased intracranial pressure, hypovolemia, indeterminate neurological disease, severe aortic or mitral stenosis.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To measure the duration of the time taken from giving instructions to free flow of CSF in the two groups, that is, control and study groups.	Time (in seconds) will be noted from the start of giving oral and visual instructions to the patient regarding positioning for spinal anaesthesia till the free flow of CSF.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The total number of skin punctures, total number of inter vertebral spaces attempted and success at first attempt.	Number of skin punctures during the procedure,that is, from the start of giving instructions till the free flow of CSF will be noted.

Locations (1): M S Ramaiah medical teaching hospital
🇮🇳
Bangalore, KARNATAKA, India
M S Ramaiah medical teaching hospital
🇮🇳Bangalore, KARNATAKA, India
Dr Shubha V Hegde
Principal investigator
8197809917
hegdeshubha93@gmail.com