Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Nov;55(5):579-584. 10.4097/kjae.2008.55.5.579.

Comparison of clinical effect of intrathecally administered fentanyl for elderly patients undergoing urologic surgery

• Kim JE
• Moon YE
• Hong SH
• Jeon JP
• Chang HW
• Kim SJ
• Koh HJ
• Ryu KH

• KMID: 2242998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2008.55.5.579

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Spinal anesthesia for urologic surgery in elderly patients is preferred. The addition of opioids to local anesthetics reduces the side effects of spinal anesthesia. This study examined the effects of intrathecal fentanyl 10microgram and 20microgram when administered with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine to elderly patients undergoing urologic surgery.
METHODS
Forty-five elderly patients undergoing urologic surgery were randomized into the following three groups: group 1, bupivacaine 7.5 mg; group 2, bupivacaine 5 mg + fentanyl 10microgram; and group 3, bupivacanie 5 mg + fentanyl 20microgram. The total volume of intrathecally injected was adjusted to 1.5 ml with sterile normal saline. Spinal anesthesia was administered with a 25 G Quincke needle at the L3-4 or L4-5 interspace in the lateral position. The neural block was assessed using a pinprick test and the Bromage scale.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the onset time of the T10 sensory block, peak level of the sensory block, and onset time of the peak level. The duration of the sensory block was significantly shorter in group 2 than in group 1 (P = 0.017). The duration of the motor block was longer in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.016, P = 0.04). Pruritus was observed more often in group 3 (37.5%) and shivering was more common in group 1 (P = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS
The addition of fentanyl 10microgram and 20microgram to bupivacaine 5 mg provides adequate anesthesia for elderly patients undergoing urologic surgery with fewer side effects, and fentanyl 10microgram is recommended as outpatient anesthesia.

Keyword

elderly; fentanyl; motor block; sensory block; spinal anesthesia

MeSH Terms

Aged
Analgesics, Opioid
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, Spinal
Anesthetics, Local
Bupivacaine
Fentanyl
Humans
Needles
Outpatients
Pruritus
Shivering
Analgesics, Opioid
Anesthetics, Local
Bupivacaine
Fentanyl