Effect of posture on extradural pressure.

Extradural pressure was measured in the lateral and the supine positions in three groups of patients using the extradural catheter as a manometer. The groups consisted of 20 pregnant patients at or near term, 10 patients in the period after childbirth and 10 male surgical patients. In every patient, the extradural pressure in the supine position was greater than that in the lateral position. The mean extradural pressures in the lateral and the supine positions were similar in the three groups. It is suggested that the difference between the extradural pressures in the lateral and the supine positions is physiological and occurs irrespective of vena caval compression. Extradural pressure changes are probably the result of postural changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. The influence of CSF pressure on extradural pressure was confirmed further by measuring the extradural pressure in the prone position in five pregnant patients.