A double blind study to assess the correlation of grade of lumbar puncture with bedside scoring system in patients scheduled for elective infra-umbilical surgeries under spinal anaesthesia at sms medical college, jaipur.

sample of 157 cases is calculated at 95% confidence level and 95% power to verify the expected proportion of 11% difficult lumbar puncture. After that two anaesthesiologists will be assigned for the study. During pre anaesthetic evaluation, patient will be assessed for 5 variables and each scored 0-3 as per proforma by one anaesthesiologist. Another anaesthesiologist with more than 5 years experience, who will not be involved in the pre-anaesthetic assessment of patient variables, will perform the lumbar puncture.