Anaesthetic management of caesarean section in a primigravida with pre-eclampsia, pleural effusion, consolidation, and lung collapse – a case report

Abstract

Pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia, pleural effusion and lung infection presents unique challenges to the anaesthesiologist. An enlarged uterus in pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester restricts diaphragmatic movement, raising pleural fluid pressure and facilitating the development of pleural effusion. We present the safe and successful conduct of an emergency lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) in a severe pre-eclamptic patient, with bilateral pleural effusions and collapse and consolidation of the lungs. This was performed under spinal anaesthesia as a valuable alternative to general anaesthesia in the setting of numerous infrastructure constraints.