Spinal anesthesia in children with isobaric local anesthetics: Report on 307 patients under 13 years of age

• Published in: Pediatric anesthesia 2006-01, Vol.16 (1), p.43-48
• Main Authors: IMBELLONI, LUIZ EDUARDO, VIEIRA, ENEIDA MARIA, SPERNI, FRANCINE, GUIZELLINI, ROSA HELENA, TOLENTINO, ANA PAULA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Anesthesia Recovery Period; Anesthesia, Spinal; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; anesthetic techniques; anesthetics; Anesthetics, Local; Biological and medical sciences; Bupivacaine; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lidocaine; local: enantiomeric mixture of bupivacaine; Male; Medical sciences; Pediatrics; Post-Dural Puncture Headache - etiology; Prospective Studies; regional: spinal block
• ISSN: 1155-5645; 1460-9592
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2005.01680.x

Summary Background:  Spinal anesthesia in expert hands is an excellent method for children for appropriate surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spinal anesthesia with isobaric solutions in 307 consecutive cases from May 2001 to August 2002. Methods:  In this prospective study, 307 patients from 0 to 12 years of age were scheduled for spinal anesthesia with enantiomeric mixture of bupivacaine (S75 : 25R) 0.5% or racemic bupivacaine 0.5% or lidocaine 2% without glucose, for surgery compatible with the technique. The following were assessed: latency of analgesia, motor block, maximum length and duration of sensory blockade, cardiovascular changes, incidence of headache or transient neurological symptoms and cost. Results:  The onset of sensory block occurred at 2.36 ± 0.95 min. Duration of surgery was 1.29 ± 0.83 h and the duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit was 39.72 ± 26.84 min. The highest level of analgesia ranged from T9 to T4 (mean T6). Onset of motor block was