Question:hard
Anaesthesia of choice for cesarean section in severe pre-eclampsia:
Anaesthesia of choice for cesarean section in severe pre-eclampsia:
Show Hint
Pick the technique you can titrate slowly while protecting a swollen airway.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Spinal
- GA (general anaesthesia)
- Epidural
- Spinal + epidural
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Reason from the two main dangers in severe pre-eclampsia: an unstable, hyper-reactive circulation and an oedematous, difficult airway. The ideal technique sidesteps both.
Step 2: A continuous epidural lets the anaesthetist raise the block gradually, so the blood pressure can be lowered gently rather than crashing. It also enhances uteroplacental blood flow and reduces stress-driven catecholamine release, which is beneficial in these patients.
Step 3: Weigh the rivals. General anaesthesia means laryngoscopy through swollen airway tissues plus a hypertensive pressor surge - both hazardous. A single-shot spinal drops pressure too sharply to control. The titratable epidural is therefore favoured for both labour and caesarean delivery in severe pre-eclampsia. \[\boxed{\text{Epidural}}\]
Step 2: A continuous epidural lets the anaesthetist raise the block gradually, so the blood pressure can be lowered gently rather than crashing. It also enhances uteroplacental blood flow and reduces stress-driven catecholamine release, which is beneficial in these patients.
Step 3: Weigh the rivals. General anaesthesia means laryngoscopy through swollen airway tissues plus a hypertensive pressor surge - both hazardous. A single-shot spinal drops pressure too sharply to control. The titratable epidural is therefore favoured for both labour and caesarean delivery in severe pre-eclampsia. \[\boxed{\text{Epidural}}\]
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