Comparison of sitting and lateral decubitus position for ease of spinal needle insertion during lumbar intrathecal anaesthesia A prospective randomized study.

In this prospective randomized trial we will be recruiting 80 patients who will be divided randomly into two groups of 40 each. One group will be administered lumbar intrathecal anaesthesia in the traditional sitting position and the other group in lateral decubitus position. We will assess for number of spinal needle bone contacts, ease of landmark palpation, success of spinal needle insertion into lumbar intrathecal space, number of attempts, incidence of postdural puncture headache postoperatively.