Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in term pregnancy: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of measuring intra-abdominal pressure in term parturients under spinal anesthesia.


METHODS
Intra-abdominal pressure was measured in 20 term parturients after spinal anesthesia for elective caesarean section. Pressure was measured in the supine and 10° left lateral tilt positions with a constant reference point throughout.


RESULTS
Intra-abdominal pressure measurement was feasible and safe to perform. Pressure was significantly lower in the left lateral tilt position than supine (10.9 mmHg ± 4.67 vs. 8.9 mmHg ± 4.87, P=0.0004). The range of intra-abdominal pressure in pregnancy was wide, from 2 to 20 mmHg, with >25% of patients resting with pressures above 12 mmHg in both positions.


CONCLUSIONS
Under spinal anesthesia, intra-abdominal pressure in >25% of healthy term parturients was > 12 mmHg, which has conventionally been defined as intra-abdominal hypertension. The intra-abdominal pressure in term pregnancy should be performed in the left lateral tilt position to avoid falsely elevated pressure measurements.
Department of Anesthesia, Foothills Medical Center, AlbertaHealth Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. rchun@ucalgary.ca
R
R
Chun
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L
Baghirzada
C
C
Tiruta
A W
AW
Kirkpatrick
D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059325:Intra-Abdominal Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D016683:Supine Position