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Effect of Speed of Injection on the Maximum Sensory Level for Spinal Anesthesia Using Plain Bupivacaine 0.5% at Room Temperature
  1. Martin J. L. Bucx, M. D.*,
  2. Jan Willem Kroon, M. D.* and
  3. Rudolf Stienstra, M. D., PhD.**
  1. *From the Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the
  2. **Department of Anesthesiology, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Delft, The Netherlands.
  1. Address correspondence to Rudolf Stienstra, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 11, 2625 AD Delft, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Background and Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate if a ten-fold difference in speed of injection of a plain solution of bupivacaine 0.5% at room temperature into the subarachnoid space would result in a temperature-dependent change in baricity large enough to be reflected in a significant difference between the maximum levels of sensory blockade.

Methods. In this prospective study, 40 male patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 patients received 3 ml plain bupivacaine 0.5% (20-22°C) with the speed of injection as fast as possible. Group 2 patients received 3 ml plain bupivacaine 0.5% (20-22°C at a rate of 0.05 ml/sec. Thirty minutes after subarachnoid injection the maximum level of sensory blockade was determined by pinprick in the anterior axillary line by a blinded observer.

Results. The mean maximum level of sensory blockade in patients of group 1 was T7.5 (median, T7; range, T3-12) and in group 2 patients T6.4 (median, 5.5; range, T3-11), the difference not being statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions. There is no clinically relevant influence on the maximum level of sensory blockade when bupivacaine 0.5% at room temperature is injected with a ten-fold difference in speed.

  • anesthetics
  • local
  • bupivacaine.

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Footnotes

  • The authors thank Laraine Visser-Isles for English language editing and Harvey J. Wong Loi Sing for technical assistance.