The relationship of patient characteristics to cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia after giving 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in infraumbilical surgeries

Abstract

Background and Aims: Patient characteristics may explain variability of spinal anaesthesia spread to certain extent. Aim-if there is any relationship between patient characteristics -Age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, abdominal girth, vertebral column length (C7-S5) and the cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia. Methods: In this Randomized Prospective Study, 100 patients of ASA 1 and 2 undergoing elective infraumbilical surgeries were selected. The above mentioned parameters were recorded. 3.5ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was injected in L3-L4 space. Cephalad spread was assessed for loss of temperature sensation and loss of pinprick discrimination at particular intervals and level was recorded. Descriptive statistics, Linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used. Results: Females, height and abdominal girth in females showed significant (p= 0.000), (p= 0.01), (p= 0.01) association. Conclusion: Height, Gender (female) and abdominal girth in females were significantly correlated with the cephalad spread of anesthesia.