OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF OUTCOME OF SUBARACHNOID BLOCK IN PARTURIENTS WITH UNSTABLE ECLAMPSIA

Afolayan Jide Michael*, Adeojo Idowu Pius and Owojuyigbe Afolabi Muyiwa

ABSTRACT

Objective: To report the outcome of subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia) in Cesarean delivery for women with unstable eclampsia. Methods: A prospective study of spinal anaesthesia in women with unstable eclampsia requiring Cesarean section from January 2013 to December 2016 was carried out. Maternal age, parity, gestational age at delivery, booking status, Apgar scores, introperative maternal hypotension, episodes of convulsion, failed spinal anesthesia, neonatal scores and postoperative complications were documented. Results: Induction of subarachnoid block was successful in all the 36 patients. Twelve parturients had difficult airway. Also twelve patients had pulmonary oedema. Ten parturients were unconscious as at time when subarachnoid block was performed. Thrombocytopenia was found in five parturients. Raised intracranial pressure was found in three patients. Only two patients had uncontrollabe convulsion and another one with uncontrollable restlessness. One patients had difficult spinal anaesthesia. No patient had hypotension. No patient had episode of a convulsion on the table. Median Apgar Score at 1 and 5 minutes were 7 and 9 respectively. Average hospital stay was 16 days. Conclusion: The study highlights that subarachnoid block is possible in some selected cases of unstable eclampsia.

Keywords: Spinal anaesthesia, General anaesthesia, eclampsia, Caesarean section.