ABSTRACT

Background: There is a risk associated with spinal anaesthesia failure after immediate deliverance of epidural anaesthesia.

Objective: To assess the risk of spinal anaesthesia failure followed by failed epidural block in caesarean deliveries.

Study Design: Retrospective study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Khairpur Medical College Khairpur Mir’s from 1^st July 2020 to 30^th June 2021.

Methodology: One hundred and seventy labour cases who have been given epidural anaesthesia and were prepared for caesarean section through spinal anaesthesia were included. The demographic and clinical information of each pregnant female was documented. Proper epidural dosage was maintained during labour.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.5±5.2 years. There was a significant increase in body mass index among epidural converted spinal aesthesia patients. The higher incidence of non-reassuring foetal heart tracing and malpresentation in failure cases were found.

Conclusion: There is a 11.17% risk of spinal anaesthetics failure for attaining block height when administered within 30 min of epidural dose.

Keywords: Epidural, Spinal anaesthesia, Anaesthesia, Caesarean