Inclusion of epinephrine to hyperbaric tetracaine and the supine position enhance the cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia compared with hyperbaric teracaine alone in the lithotomy position

Abstract

Background: Intrathecal epinephrine can produce prolongation of duration of spinal anaesthesia by reducing vascular absorption of the local anaesthetics. The patient's positioning can change the cephalad spread of hyperbaric local anaesthetics by affecting the lordosis of the vertebral canal. These factors combined are expected to affect the cephalad spread of sensory block levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether combined use of epinephrine with hyperbaric tetracaine in the supine position can enhance the cephalad spread of sensory block levels compared with hyperbaric tetracaine alone in the lithotomy position.

Methods: ASA physical status I or II 48 urological (lithotomy group) and 48 orthopaedic patients (supine group) scheduled to undergo elective surgical procedures in the lithotomy or supine position under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. Patients in each group were randomly divided into two subgroups to receive intrathecal 10 mg of hyperbaric tetracaine with or without 0.2 mg of epinephrine (Groups L, LE, S, and SE). The extent of sensory blockade was assessed by loss of cold sensation. After achievement of sensory blockade up to T10, the patients in Groups L and LE were immediately placed in the lithotomy position. Patients in Groups S and SE were maintained in the supine position.

Results: The highest sensory blockade in the SE Group was on average statistically significantly higher than in the L Group. The mean time taken to the highest sensory blockade in the SE Group was statistically significantly longer than in Groups L and S. Atropine for bradycardia was used more frequently in the SE Group than in the other groups.

Conclusions: Combined use of epinephrine with hyperbaric tetracaine in the supine position can enhance the cephalad spread of sensory block levels compared with hyperbaric tetracaine alone in the lithotomy position.