We conclude that 0.25% levobupivacaine and 0.25% bupivacaine have similar motor and sensory block onset times and qualities when used in posterior approach interscalene brachial plexus block, and provide comfortable anesthesia and analgesia for shoulder surgery.

The result of the study show that the extra-slow injection of hyperbaric bupivacaine provided strictly unilateral sensorial and sympathetic block in 93.9 and 87.9% of the patients, respectively, and that a slow injection of low doses of hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine 1 ml was sufficient to provide unilateral spinal anesthesia.

BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc), a progressive disease characterized by excessive accumulation of connective tissue components. Although most patients have long survival, some of them progress rapidly to death. Pulmonary system involvement and pulmonary hypertension are the most frequent cause of death. When the patient with SSc is to be operated, the anesthetic procedure could be a serious problem. In this article, we report a combined spinal – epidural technique in a patient with progressive SSc and the anesthetic considerations that could be recommended for these patients.Case presentationA 68-year-old woman who had a history of progressive systemic sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, kyphoscoliosis and decreased oral apertura underwent total hip arthroplasty. This operation was performed successfully under combined spinal epidural anesthesia.ConclusionSystemic sclerosis is a complex disease that involves multiple organ systems. Every aspects of anesthetic care may be altered or hindered by the pathogenesis of disease. Although the choice of regional or general anesthesia is unclear, to choose combined spinal epidural anesthesia may be useful.

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We suggest that both local anesthetics can be used in walking spinal technique. Levobupivacaine may be an alternative local anesthetic for walking spinal anesthesia as it provides minimum motor block and a long duration of postoperative analgesia, even if its use is not associated with a shorter home discharge time.