title: Induction position for spinal anaesthesia: sitting versus lateral position.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of induction position on block characteristics (sensory and motor nerves) and haemodynamic stability in elderly patients with isobaric bupivacaine. Patient comfort was also looked at.
  
  
  METHODS
  The randomized single blinded study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2007 to August 2008. A total of 70 patients aged >60 years of both genders were included. Spinal anaesthesia was performed either in sitting or lateral position according to random allocation. Assessments of sensory, motor block and heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded for 20 minutes. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference for haemodynamic variables heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The onset of anaesthesia was faster in the sitting group (4.5 minutes vs 5.4 minutes). The motor block characteristics were similar in both the groups. The majority of patients who reported 'very comfortable' for induction position belonged to the lateral group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both sitting and lateral positions have similar effects on sensory and motor blockade and haemodynamic stability. However, patients generally found lateral position very comfortable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khurrum
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shahzad
authors.forename: Gauhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Afshan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011187:Posture; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine