Anderson, L., Walker, J., Brydon, C. and Serpell, M.G. (2001) Rate of injection through Whitacre needles affects distribution of spinal anaesthesia. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 86(2), pp. 245-248.
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Publisher's URL: http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/2/245
Abstract
A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to investigate whether altering the rate of injection of local anaesthetic through a Whitacre needle had any effect on the spinal block achieved. Twenty patients scheduled for elective urological surgery under spinal anaesthesia received an injection of 3 ml of 0.5% plain bupivacaine either by hand (fast) over 10 s (18 ml min<sup>–1</sup>) or by infusion pump (slow) over 3 min (1 ml min<sup>–1</sup>). All patients were in the sitting position both during insertion of the spinal needle and for 3 min after the start of spinal injection, and they then changed to the supine position. The slow injection group achieved peak sensory block earlier, after a median interval of 20 (95% confidence interval 12.5–30) min vs 30 (22.5–45) min (P<0.05) for the fast group. The level of peak sensory block was similar: T3.5 (T2–T4.5) vs T4 (T1.5–T6.5). The time to lowest mean arterial pressure occurred earlier in the slow group, at 10 (8 to 18) vs 20 (15–31) min (P<0.05). Duration of the motor block was shorter in the slow group: 180 (152–242) vs 270 (225–300). We conclude that a slow spinal injection of plain bupivacaine results in a block of more rapid onset and recovery.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Serpell, Dr Michael |
Authors: | Anderson, L., Walker, J., Brydon, C., and Serpell, M.G. |
Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities |
Journal Name: | British Journal of Anaesthesia |
Journal Abbr.: | BJA |
ISSN: | 0007-0912 |
ISSN (Online): | 1471-6771 |
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