Directional spinals in obstetric analgesia

Directional characteristics of spinal injections delivered via a 22 gauge Whitacre needle were confirmed in twenty-one obstetric patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. Caudad injection was inadequate for elective Caesarean section, while cephalad or lateral injection provided good sensory levels for the duration of the surgery. It is speculated that along with the low incidence of postspinal headache and ease of administering the block with a more rigid 22 gauge needle, low dose caudally directed injections may provide a superior means of administering saddle block analgesia for obstetric patients.