Korean J Anesthesiol.  2003 Nov;45(5):627-631. 10.4097/kjae.2003.45.5.627.

Patient Variables Influencing the Sensory Blockade Level of Spinal Anesthesia Using Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in Term Parturients

• Kim EJ
• Lee JH
• Ban JS
• Min BW

• KMID: 1935953
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2003.45.5.627

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section is regaining popularity. The effects of patient variables on the spread of sensory blockade have been reported to vary widely. We evaluated the effects of abdominal circumference, fundus height and cerebrospinal fluid pressure on the spread of sensory blockade following subarachnoid hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl in term parturients. We also evaluated the effects of age, height, weight, body mass index on the spread of sensory blockade.
METHODS
Sixty healthy term parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section, were measured for, abdominal circumference, fundus height, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and received 8 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl 20microgram intrathecally. Maximal sensory block height and blood pressure were assessed. Intraoperative visceral pain was checked as discribed using four grades.
RESULTS
Age, weight, abdominal circumference, fundus height and cerebrospinal fluid pressure were not found to be correlated with the spread of sensory blockade. However, height and body mass index correlated with the spread of sensory blockade (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
It is necessary to vary the dose of injected hyperbaric bupivacaine according to changes in height and body mass index.

Keyword

bupivacaine; cesarean section; fentanyl; spinal

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Spinal*
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Bupivacaine*
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure
Cesarean Section
Female
Fentanyl
Humans
Pregnancy
Visceral Pain
Bupivacaine
Fentanyl