A Comparison of T4 and T7 Dermatomal Levels of Analgesia for Caesarean Section Using the Lumbar Epidural Technique

Abstract

This study compared two levels of analgesia (T4 and T7), with and without prophylactic ephedrine, to determine the adequacy of analgesia, the incidence and severity of hypotension, the concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine in maternal blood as a response to pain and hypotension, and the biochemical status and clinical condition of the newborn infant. Sixty healthy gravidae scheduled for cesarean section within 2 weeks of term were assigned randomly to one of 4 study groups according to the level of analgesia received and intramuscular medications given: group 1—T7 level and saline 0.5 ml; group 2—T7 level and ephedrine 25 mg; group 3—T4 level and saline 0.5 ml; and group 4—T4 level and ephedrine 0.25 mg.