Background: Hyperbaric Bupivacaine is used commonly for spinal anaesthesia for LSCS in obstetrics worldwide. Aim: To compare the effects of maternal posture, sitting vs left lateral, during induction of subarachnoid block for LSCS using 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Material and Methods: Sixty ASA grade-1 patients, who underwent lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), with singleton pregnancy were included in the study. They have given spinal anaesthesia in sitting or lateral decubitus. Results: Placement of spinal needle in subarachnoid space was significantly faster in sitting position. Onset of block to T6 dermatomal level was significantly faster in left lateral position (left lateral. Maximum height of block was higher in left lateral group as compared to sitting group, by one dermatome, which is statistically significant. Incidence and onset of hypotension were comparable but degree of hypotension was significantly greater in sitting group. Parturients who received subarachnoid block in sitting position required more analgesic supplementation during intra-operative period. Post-operative VAS scores for comfort, were similar in both the groups. Overall incidence of PDPH was 20%. Conclusion: Both Decubitus provided effective sensorimotor charistristics for spinal anaesthesia in parturients. We concluded that left lateral position is better than sitting position for induction of subarachnoid block for parturients undergoing elective caesarean section because of early onset and better intraoperative Haemodynamic parameters than sitting position.

Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, lateral positions, LSCS, Sitting position, subarachnoid block