Effect of glucose concentration on the subarachnoid spread of tetracaine in the parturient

• Published in: Journal of anesthesia 1995-09, Vol.9 (3), p.211-213
• Main Authors: Hirabayashi, Yoshihiro, Shimizu, Reiju, Saitoh, Kazuhiko, Fukuda, Hirokazu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0913-8668; 1438-8359
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02479865

We have studied the effect of glucose concentration on the spread of tetracaine spinal anesthesia in 40 parturient patients. Forty women undergoing cesarean section received a subarachnoid injection of tetracaine 8 mg dissolved in either 5% or 10% glucose solution. The maximum cephalad spread of analgesia [median (range)] was higher with 10% glucose [T3 (T4-C8)] than with 5% glucose [T4 (T5.5-T2)]. The time from the spinal injection to the maximum spread of analgesia (mean ± SD) was significantly shorter with 10% glucose (15 ± min) than with 5% glucose (28 ± 16 min). The cumulative dose of ephedrine was higher with 10% glucose (19 ± 10 mg) than with the 5% glucose (13± 8 mg). In tetracaine spinal anesthesia, the rate of onset of analgesia was faster and the maximum level of analgesia was higher in the 10% glucose solution than in the 5% glucose solution.