Reduction of Occurrance of Hypotension During Spinal Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section : Prophylactic Intramuscular Ephedrine Versus Fluid Preload

Abstract

Spinal anesthesia is considered as one of the best methods for anesthesia for caesarean section because of its effectiveness and safety for the mother and the foetus when properly conducted. The main disadvantage of spinal anesthesia is the maternal hypotension which is harmful to the infant when it is not immediately and properly treated.

The aim of this study was to compare conventional technique of preloading 20m! kg- 1 normal saline immediately before spinal anesthesia with prophylactic 50 mg ephedrine intramusculary I 0 minutes before spinal anesthesia on maternal haemodynamic and fetal well being.

This study was carried out in Assiut University Hospital on 40 patients undergoing elective caesarean sections. All patients were free from any pre-existing systemic or obstetric diseases which may affect the neonatal outcome as toxaemia of pregnancy or diabetes mellitus. Surgery was performed under standard spinal anesthetic technique for all patients.