Spinal and Epidural anaesthesia for Caesarean section in severe preeclampsia – a comparative prospective randomized study

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy associated with significant maternal, foetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Regional anaesthesia is preferred in these patients because it avoids maternal complications and improves uteroplacental blood flow and neonatal outcome. Epidural anaesthesia has been accepted as the technique of choice for caesarean section in severely preeclamptic patients. Many retrospective studies have assessed the haemodynamic effects of spinal anaesthesia in severe preeclampsia and showed no significant haemodynamic instability. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the haemodynamic effects and neonatal outcome of spinal anaesthesia compared to that of epidural anaesthesia.