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Influence of temperature of bupivacaine on spread of spinal analgesia
Author(s) -
CALLESEN T.,
JARNVIG I.,
THAGE B.,
KRANTZ T.,
CHRISTIANSEN C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1991.tb09306.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bupivacaine , anesthesia , blockade , ephedrine , intrathecal , spinal anesthesia , receptor
Summary A prospective, randomised study was performed to investigate the influence of temperature on sensory blockade in spinal anaesthesia. Three ml of plain bupivacaine 0.5% were injected intrathecally at either 4°C, room temperature, or 37°C. There were 10 patients in each group, who were kept sitting for 2 minutes after injection. The maximum level of sensory blockade was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the group who received the solution adjusted to 37°C, and variability of level was smaller (p < 0.05). Time to two‐segment regression was shorter in the 37°C group than in the 4°C group (p < 0.05). Hypotension required administration of ephedrine more often in the 37°C group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the use of plain bupivacaine 0.5% adjusted to 37°C results in a higher and more predictable sensory blockade.