Complications
This technique shares the contraindications and complications of both epidural and spinal anaesthesia.
CSE in labouring women is associated with more pruritus if fentanyl (25μg) is given intrathecally, than low-dose epidural analgesia. However, no difference has been found in the incidence of post dural puncture headache, requirement for epidural blood patch or maternal hypotension.
The COMET Study, published in The Lancet in 2001 (vol358, No9275 p19-23) showed that a combined spinal epidural in labor may speed up the labor process by a few minutes.
Read more about this topic: Combined Spinal And Epidural Anaesthesia