Abstract

Anatomical alterations such as elevated diaphragm due to enlarged uterus and hormonal differences affect pulmonary function tests (PFT) during pregnancy. The effect of spinal anesthesia on PFT is minimal in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of spinal anaesthesia during caesarean section on PFT. In 25 pregnant women, spinal anaesthesia was applied with % 0.5 hyperbaric bupivacaine from L3-4 intervertebral space after ECG, non-invasive blood pressure and peripheral O2 saturation monitorization. Sensory block level, hemodynamics and PFT were performed before and after spinal anesthesia at 10th, 40th and 100th minutes in supine position using hand type spirometer. FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 were decreased while PEF and FET levels were unchanged in the patients whose levels of sensory block were above thoracic 6th segment at 40th minutes compared to basal measurements. No change in PFT parameters were noted among patients whose sensory block levels were lower than thoracic 6th segment. Mean arterial blood pressure levels were decreased at 40th minutes. The sensory block above thoracic 6th segment may alter PFT due to impairment of enervation of respiratory muscles and increased parasympathetic activity in pregnant women.