Influence of a prolonged lateral position on induction of spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Maternal hypotension occurs commonly during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. We evaluated whether hypotension due to aortocaval compression could be prevented by maintaining a lateral position after an intrathecal injection. Eighty-six women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were enrolled. Spinal anesthesia was conducted in the right lateral position using 8 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine and 15 µg of fentanyl. Patients were randomly assigned to maintain the right lateral position for 6 min before assuming the wedged supine position (group L), or to assume the wedged supine position immediately after the spinal injection (group S). Hypotension was defined as a decrease in mean arterial pressure to