Evaluation of Leg Wrapping for the Prevention of Postspinal Hypotension in Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia

BACKGROUND Spinal blockade provides excellent anesthesia for patients undergoing cesarean section. However, hypotension after spinal anesthesia is a common adverse effect that is commonly experienced in patients undergoing cesarean section. The aim of our study was to analyze if a simple technique like leg wrapping with elastic crepe bandage would be effective in controlling postspinal hypotension. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty full-term pregnant patients who were posted for cesarean section belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II were divided into two groups. Patients in Group W had their legs wrapped with elastic crepe bandage and in the other Group N, leg wrapping was not done. All the patients were preloaded with Ringer lactate at 10 ml/kg before the spinal anesthesia. The hemodynamic parameters were monitored every 3 min until the delivery of the baby and every 5 min until the end of surgery. If hypotension occurred, then along with crystalloid loading a bolus dose of mephentermine 6 mg was given intravenously. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Statistical software "Numbers version 3.6.1 (2566)" was used for statistical calculations. RESULTS Frequency of hypotension in Group W (10%) was significantly less compared to Group N (60%). Vasopressor requirement was significantly less in Group W (P = 0.009), which was highly significant. CONCLUSION Wrapping of lower extremities was a simple, easy, and an effective method of decreasing episodes of hypotension and vasopressor requirement after spinal anesthesia in cesarean patients and needs to be practiced routinely.