Jemds.com Original Research Article J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci./eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 7/ Issue 41/ Oct. 08, 2018 Page 4403 STUDY TO DETERMINE OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN UNDERGOING REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA FOR CAESAREAN SECTION Pratibha Savant 1 , Ketaki Patwardhan 2 , Vijay Patil 3 1 Professor and HOD, Department of Anaesthesia, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 2 Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 3 Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The choice of anaesthesia for caesarean section depends on many factors including the indication for the caesarean section, whether the procedure is emergency or elective, NBM status of the patient, preoperative condition of the patient, any preoperative disease and the condition of the foetus. Even though as anaesthetists, we would prefer spinal anaesthesia as the anaesthesia of choice for caesarean section, we wanted to know the perception of women who have undergone spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section about the overall experience of the same. Aim- To determine the overall experience of women undergoing regional anaesthesia for caesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study via a questionnaire on an online social media platform in a group, which consisted exclusively of mothers in the city of Mumbai. The questionnaire included basic questions about demographics of patients, any pre- existing medical conditions complicating the pregnancy, the total number of children, number of caesarean surgeries they underwent, the type of anaesthesia received, the position and comfort during spinal anaesthesia, any apprehension felt during or after anaesthesia, awareness about surroundings, the pain relief post-surgery, any headache or backache after surgery, the overall experience of anaesthesia and the likelihood of them opting for spinal anaesthesia if need arises in future. The answers were computed by statistical analysis and the results were analysed. RESULTS In our study, 52% did not feel apprehensive during induction of anaesthesia suggesting almost equal number of patients felt apprehensive during the same. The sitting position for spinal anaesthesia was found to be significantly comfortable. This result was surprising, because in lateral general position is perceived to be more comfortable than the sitting position while receiving spinal anaesthesia. In our study, 238 i.e. 72% patients were pain free immediately after surgery. In our study, 32.92% females had headache postoperatively. 180 out of 327, i.e. almost 55% patients had experienced backache after the surgery. The same number of patients, 180 i.e. 55% have persistent backache even years after the surgery. When we compared incidence of backache in patients receiving different types of anaesthesia, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of backache in those receiving spinal, general or epidural anaesthesia. Of the 327 patients in our study, almost 60% patients felt they would opt for spinal anaesthesia if required in future. In spite of all the apprehensions and prejudices, in our study 84.09% women found the overall experience of anaesthesia for caesarean surgery to be satisfactory. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study shows that in spite of the advantages of neuraxial blockade for caesarean surgery a number of factors can decide the comfort of patient during the surgery including whether anaesthetist spoke to the patient prior to surgery, the apprehension felt while receiving anaesthesia, the position given or whether baby was shown immediately after birth. Backache is very common in these patients, but most of the times it becomes persistent due to factors like physiological changes of pregnancy and postpartum period. Irrespective of its aetiology and pathogenesis, the postpartum backache is attributed to spinal anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia received during caesarean surgery. KEY WORDS Caesarean Section, Spinal Anaesthesia, Maternal Satisfaction. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Savant P, Patwardhan K, Patil V. Study to determine overall experience of women undergoing regional anaesthesia for caesarean section. J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci. 2018;7(41):4403-4408, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2018/983 ‘Financial or Other Competing Interest’: None. Submission 03-08-2018, Peer Review 21-09-2018, Acceptance 27-09-2018, Published 08-10-2018. Corresponding Author: Dr. Ketaki Patwardhan, Flat No. 1C, Angle Apartment, Cosmos Springs 2, Ovala, Ghodbynder Road, Thane West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: ketaki_p18@yahoo.co.in DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2018/983 BACKGROUND The choice of anaesthesia for caesarean surgery depends on many factors including the indication for the caesarean, whether the procedure is emergency or elective, NBM status of the patient, preoperative condition of the patient, any preoperative disease and the condition of the foetus. Spinal (subarachnoid) anaesthesia offers many advantages for caesarean delivery. It has a very rapid onset and provides a dense neural block. Because of the small doses used, there is little risk of local anaesthetic toxicity and minimal transfer of