Anaesthetic management of a super morbidly obese patient for total abdominal hysterectomy: a few more lessons to learn

Background

The prevalence of obesity is on the upward trend world-wide. This epidemic has challenging implications for anaesthetists, following the anthropometric changes associated with the disease.

Objective

To highlight some of the challenges, the management and the lessons learnt during the management of this patient.

Methods

This is a case report of a 52-year old super morbidly obese, diabetic, and hypertensive patient that presented for total abdominal hysterectomy. Surgery was carried out under a single-shot spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine/fentanyl.

Results

Under bupivacaine/fentanyl anaesthesia, she became very drowsy and had moderate to severe respiratory depression. She was arousable but had an obstructive sleep apnoea. Surgery was carried out successfully

Conclusion

A better understanding of the pathophysiology and complications that accompany obesity is needed to manage an obese patient under anaesthesia.     

Palliative sedation in Dutch general practice from 2005 to 2011: a dynamic cohort study of trends and reasons

Background

Little is known about the quantity and reasons for use of palliative sedation in general practice.

Aim

To gain more insight into the trends of and reasons for palliative sedation in Dutch general practice.

Design and setting

Dynamic cohort study using registrations and questionnaire data of Dutch GPs.

Method

Data collected in the years from 2005 until 2011 in the Dutch Sentinel General Practice Network were analysed. Trends and reasons for use of palliative sedation were analysed using multilevel analyses to control for clustering of observations within general practices.

Results

From 2005–2011, 183 cases were reported from 56 general practices. The incidence of palliative sedation fluctuated between 33.7 per 100 000 patients in 2006 and 15.2 in 2011. No rise or decline during the period was observed. Palliative sedation was applied in 5.7% of all deaths and most frequently used in younger patients with cancer. The mean number of refractory symptoms was 2.6 (SD 1.2); pain (69.4%), dyspnoea (53.0%), and fear (39.3%). Patient involvement in decision making before the start of palliative sedation (87.4%) was less frequently present in patients suffering from cardiovascular or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in older patients compared to patients with cancer (P<0.05). Pending euthanasia requests were present in 20.8% of cases; the choice for palliative sedation in these cases was clearly motivated.

Conclusion

Palliative sedation is performed in a small proportion of dying patients in Dutch general practice, without a rise or decline observed from 2005 to 2011. Patients with non-cancer diseases are less frequently involved in decision making than patients with cancer, possibly related to sudden deterioration.     

Effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine on pulmonary function after elective lower abdominal operations

Background

Subcutaneous or intrafascial wound infiltration of local anaesthetic with systemic opioids has been shown to enhance patient comfort with improved analgesia and reduced opioid requirements.

Objective

To demonstrate improved pulmonary function when postoperative analgesia was provided by combined bupivacaine wound infiltration and systemic opioid.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 46 patients (23 per group) scheduled for elective gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia had subcutaneous and intrafascial wound infiltration of 40 ml, 0.25% bupivacaine (study patients) or 40 ml 0.9% saline (control) just before the end of surgery. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were done before surgery and at 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Student''s T and chi-square tests were used for tests of significance set at P < 0.05.Postoperative analgesia was provided with intramuscular morphine 0.15mg/kg 4hourly and 10mg/kg of intravenous paracetamol as rescue analgesia.

Results

PEFR, FVC and FEV1 were reduced in both the control and study groups but the reduction was greater in the control group.

Conclusion

Bupivacaine wound infiltration produced statistically significant elevations in pulmonary function tests results at all assessment periods.     

Opinions of the Dutch public on palliative sedation: a mixed-methods approach

Background

Palliative sedation is defined as deliberately lowering a patient’s consciousness, to relieve intolerable suffering from refractory symptoms at the end of life. Palliative sedation is considered a last resort intervention in end-of-life care that should not be confused with euthanasia.

Aim

To inform healthcare professionals about attitudes of the general public regarding palliative sedation.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional survey among members of the Dutch general public followed by qualitative interviews.

Method

One thousand nine hundred and sixty members of the general public completed the questionnaire, which included a vignette describing palliative sedation (response rate 78%); 16 participants were interviewed.

Results

In total, 22% of the responders indicated knowing the term ‘palliative sedation’. Qualitative data showed a variety of interpretations of the term. Eighty-one per cent of the responders agreed with the provision of sedatives as described in a vignette of a patient with untreatable pain and a life expectancy of <1 week who received sedatives to alleviate his suffering. This percentage was somewhat lower for a patient with a life expectancy of <1 month (74%, P = 0.007) and comparable in the case where the physician gave sedatives with the aim of ending the patient’s life (79%, P = 0.54).

Conclusion

Most of the general public accept the use of palliative sedation at the end of life, regardless of a potential life-shortening effect. However, confusion exists about what palliative sedation represents. This should be taken into account by healthcare professionals when communicating with patients and their relatives on end-of-life care options.     

The Clinical Courses of Patients with Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation Complicated by Pneumonia

Purpose

We evaluated the clinical characteristics and courses of patients with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) complicated by pneumonia.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 19 adult patients with surgically confirmed CCAM between March 2005 and July 2013.

Results

Eighteen of nineteen patients presented with acute pneumonia symptoms and signs, and inflammatory markers were elevated. On chest computed tomography, all 18 patients had parenchymal infiltration around cystic lesions, 17 (94%) had an air-fluid level, and 2 (11%) had pleural effusion. After antibiotics treatment for a median of 22 days prior to surgery, all acute pneumonia symptoms and signs disappeared in 17 (94%) patients at a median of 10 days. Improvements and normalization of inflammatory marker levels, occurred in 17 (94%) and 9 (50%) patients at medians of 8 and 17 days, respectively. Radiological improvement was evident in 11 (61%) patients, at a median of 18 days, of these patients, partial radiological improvement occurred in 10 (56%) and complete radiological resolution in only 1 (6%). One patient (6%) did not improve in terms of clinical, laboratory, or radiological findings despite antibiotic treatment for 13 days. Consequently, after 17 (94%) elective and 1 (6%) emergency surgeries, all patients improved without development of complications.

Conclusion

We described the clinical characteristics and courses of patients with CCAM complicated by pneumonia, and showed that surgery may be performed safely after clinicolaboratory improvement is attained upon antibiotic treatment, even in the absence of complete radiological resolution.     

Overweight and obesity among patients attending a Nigerian oral surgery clinic: implications for oral surgical practice in Nigeria

Aim

To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients attending oral and maxillofacial outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; and discuss the clinical and surgical implications that obesity has on the delivery of oral and maxillofacial surgical and anaesthetic care.

Methods

Consecutive patients presenting to the oral and maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinic at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria over a 4-month period (May–August 2004) were screened for age, sex, height and weight. All of the patients were treated for dentoalveolar surgical procedures (routine and surgical extractions), incisional and excisional biopsies, and enucleation under local anaesthesia.

Results

The BMIs of the studied patients ranged from 16.7 to 39.8 kg/m², with a mean of 24.6 ± 4.5 kg/m². Prevalence of excess weight was 39.1%. Thirty-one (11.4%) patients were obese and 75 (27.7%) patients were overweight. A significant difference was observed in the BMIs of male and female patients (P=0.000). The age groups < 30 years had mean BMIs that were considered normal; whereas other age groups above 30 years had mean BMIs that were considered overweight. Prevalence of obesity increases with increasing age. Obese individuals were seen in all the age groups except those < 20 years.

Conculsions

The prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) in patients presenting in the studied oral and maxillofacial outpatient setting was 39.1%. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon needs to be aware of obesity-/overweight-related medical and surgical issues and take them into consideration when treating these patients.     

Bispectral Index Monitoring during Anesthesiologist-Directed Propofol and Remifentanil Sedation for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technically difficult and lengthy procedure requiring optimal depth of sedation. The bispectral index (BIS) monitor is a non-invasive tool that objectively evaluates the depth of sedation. The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether BIS guided sedation with propofol and remifentanil could reduce the number of patients requiring rescue propofol, and thus reduce the incidence of sedation- and/or procedure-related complications.

Materials and Methods

A total of 180 patients who underwent the ESD procedure for gastric adenoma or early gastric cancer were randomized to two groups. The control group (n=90) was monitored by the Modified Observer''s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation scale and the BIS group (n=90) was monitored using BIS. The total doses of propofol and remifentanil, the need for rescue propofol, and the rates of complications were recorded.

Results

The number of patients who needed rescue propofol during the procedure was significantly higher in the control group than the BIS group (47.8% vs. 30.0%, p=0.014). There were no significant differences in the incidence of sedation- and/or procedure-related complications.

Conclusion

BIS-guided propofol infusion combined with remifentanil reduced the number of patients requiring rescue propofol in ESD procedures. However, this finding did not lead to clinical benefits and thus BIS monitoring is of limited use during anesthesiologist-directed sedation.     

Involving patients with depression in research: survey of patients' attitudes to participation

Background

Clinicians report barriers to involving their patients in mental health research and have concerns that participation may have negative effects.

Aim

To investigate patients'' views on participating in a primary care randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing two antidepressant drugs.

Design of study

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

General practices, England.

Method

Six hundred and one trial participants were surveyed about their reasons for, and experience of, participating.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 252/601 (42%) participants. The most influential factors determining participation were: wanting to help others with depression (94%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 90 to 97%) of responders rated this as ‘important’ or ‘very important’); friendly researchers (94%, 95% CI = 90 to 96%); and interest in the research (88%, 95% CI = 83 to 91%). Most were glad they took part and would consider participating in future research. Ninety-six per cent (95% CI = 92 to 98%) reported that their confidence in their GP had increased or remained unchanged since referral. Qualitative analysis of free-text responses indicated that patients found participation beneficial and liked: being altruistic, doing something positive, feeling supported by the researchers, and having time to talk. Many gained understanding of their depression and valued feedback on their progress. A minority reported negative views, which commonly related to taking antidepressants, and answering questionnaires.

Conclusion

GPs have a vital role in facilitating patient involvement in research but report barriers to referring depressed patients to RCTs. However, this data suggests that patients are willing to participate and many find this beneficial. Understanding attitudes to participation in mental health research is a crucial step in designing trials that are more acceptable to patients and GPs. This will strengthen the evidence for therapeutic approaches in primary care.     

The Utility of Single-Channel Nasal Airflow Pressure Transducer in the Diagnosis Of OSA at Home

Rationale:

Given the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the demand on polysomnography (PSG), there is a need for low cost accurate simple diagnostic modalities that can be easily deployed in primary care to improve access to diagnosis.

Study Objectives:

The aim was to examine the utility of single-channel nasal airflow monitoring using a pressure transducer at home in patients with suspected OSA.

Design:

Cross-sectional study

Setting:

Laboratory and home

Participants:

The study was conducted in two populations. Consecutive patients with suspected OSA were recruited from the sleep disorders clinic at a tertiary referral center and from 6 local metropolitan primary care centers.

Interventions:

All patients answered questionnaires and had laboratory PSG. Nasal airflow was monitored for 3 consecutive nights at home in random order either before or after PSG.

Results:

A total of 193 patients participated (105 sleep clinic patients and 88 from primary care). The mean bias PSG apnea hypopnea index (AHI) minus nasal flow respiratory disturbance index (NF RDI) was –4.9 events per hour with limits of agreement (2 SD) of 27.8. NF RDI monitored over 3 nights had high accuracy for diagnosing both severe OSA (defined as PSG AHI > 30 events per hour) with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-0.96) and any OSA (PSG AHI >5), AUC 0.87 (95% CI 0.80-0.94).

Conclusions:

Single-channel nasal airflow can be implemented as an accurate diagnostic tool for OSA at home in both primary care and sleep clinic populations.

Citation:

Makarie Rofail L; Wong KKH; Unger G; Marks GB; Grunstein RR. The utility of single-channel nasal airflow pressure transducer in the diagnosis of OSA at home. SLEEP 2010;33(8):1097-1105.     

Does Sedation Affect Examination of Esophagogastric Junction during Upper Endoscopy?

Purpose

During sedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), patients may not be able to perform inspiration, which is necessary to examine the esophagogastric junction. Therefore sedation may affect diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of sedation on diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings during EGD.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study evaluated 28914 patients older than 20 years who underwent EGD at our institution between January 2011 and December 2011. Ultimately, 1546 patients indicated for EGD for health check-up and symptom evaluation were included.

Results

There were 18546 patients who had diagnostic EGD: 10471 patients (56%) by non-sedated EGD and 8075 patients (43%) by sedated EGD. After statistical adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, minimal change esophagitis, and hiatal hernia were significantly less frequently observed in the sedated EGD group [odds ratio (OR), 0.651; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.586 to 0.722 and OR, 0.699; 95% CI, 0.564 to 0.866]. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in other findings at the gastroesophageal junction, such as reflux esophagitis with Los Angeles classification A, B, C, and D or Barrett''s esophagus, between the two groups. Similarly, there were no differences in early gastric cancer, advanced gastric cancer, and gastric ulcer occurrence.

Conclusion

Sedation can impede the detection of minimal change esophagitis and hiatal hernia, but does not influence detection of reflux esophagitis of definite severity and Barrett''s esophagus.     

Combined ECG,Echocardiographic, and Biomarker Criteria for Diagnosing Acute Myocardial Infarction in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients

Purpose

Acute coronary lesions commonly trigger out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Asian patients with OHCA and whether electrocardiogram (ECG) and other findings might predict acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not been fully elucidated.

Materials and Methods

Of 284 consecutive resuscitated OHCA patients seen between January 2006 and July 2013, we enrolled 135 patients who had undergone coronary evaluation. ECGs, echocardiography, and biomarkers were compared between patients with or without CAD.

Results

We included 135 consecutive patients aged 54 years (interquartile range 45-65) with sustained return of spontaneous circulation after OHCA between 2006 and 2012. Sixty six (45%) patients had CAD. The initial rhythm was shockable and non-shockable in 110 (81%) and 25 (19%) patients, respectively. ST-segment elevation predicted CAD with 42% sensitivity, 87% specificity, and 65% accuracy. ST elevation and/or regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) showed 68% sensitivity, 52% specificity, and 70% accuracy in the prediction of CAD. Finally, a combination of ST elevation and/or RWMA and/or troponin T elevation predicted CAD with 94% sensitivity, 17% specificity, and 55% accuracy.

Conclusion

In patients with OHCA without obvious non-cardiac causes, selection for coronary angiogram based on the combined criterion could detect 94% of CADs. However, compared with ECG only criteria, the combined criterion failed to improve diagnostic accuracy with a lower specificity.     

Recurrences after Local Excision for Early Rectal Adenocarcinoma

Purpose

The role of local excision in treating rectal cancer patients continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term oncological results of local excision for early rectal adenocarcinomas and review the outcomes of salvage therapy on rectal cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

Between March 1992 and September 2005, 35 consecutive patients with early-stage primary rectal adenocarcinomas were treated by local excision with curative intent. The mean tumor distance from the anal verge was 5 cm (range, 1-10 cm).

Results

The median follow-up was 66 months (range, 17-161 months). Pathological examination revealed 23 cases of T1 and 12 cases of T2. Recurrence had developed in 10 patients (6 local recurrences, 4 systemic recurrences). Purely extrapelvic recurrence was observed in only two (5.7%) patients. Of the eight recurrent patients with surgical salvage, five survived with no evidence of disease at the time of this analysis. The 5-year local recurrence-free and disease-free survival rates were 79.6% and 67.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Local excision alone of early-staged rectal adenocarcinomas, even in the ideal candidate, is followed by a relatively higher local recurrence rate than previously reported and may not be a valid modality. Either the use of adjuvant therapy with local excision, even in patients with T1 lesions or the use of preoperative therapy followed by local excision has good promise.     

Proportion of patients in the Uganda rheumatic heart disease registry with advanced disease requiring urgent surgical interventions

Introduction

Since the establishment of the Uganda Rheumatic Heart Registry, over 900 patients have been enrolled. We sought to stratify the patients in the registry according to disease severity and optimal management strategy.

Methods

We reviewed data of 618 patients who had enrolled in the Registry between March 2010 and February 2013. The 67 patients who had died were excluded leaving 551 patients who were recruited. The optimum management strategy was determined according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease.

Results

Out of the 551 patient''s records evaluated, 398 (72.3%) required invasive intervention, with 332(60.3%) patients requiring surgery and 66 (12.0%) requiring percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC). This leaves only 27.7% of patients who required only medical management. Currently, majority of the patients (498, 90.4%) in the registry are on medical treatment. Of the 60.3% requiring surgical intervention, only 8.0% (44 patients) underwent valvular surgery and 5(1.0%) patients of the 66 (12.0%) underwent PMC successfully.

Conclusion

There is a high proportion of patients with severe disease that require surgical treatment yet they cannot access this therapy due to absence of local expertise.     

Prognostic Factors in the Survival of Patients Diagnosed with Primary Non-Metastatic Osteosarcoma with a Poor Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION:

Identification of variables that determine the prognosis for osteosarcoma may enable stratification of patients into subgroups with better or worse risk of local recurrence, metastases and death due to the disease. Discovery of such prognostic factors would permit selection of a subgroup of at-risk patients, with the aim of improving the therapeutic effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify prognostic factors related to local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival among patients with highly malignant primary osteosarcoma that was non-metastatic on diagnosis and had poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

SAMPLE AND METHODS:

Out of 45 patients admitted to a referral center in Brazil between 2000 and 2004, 24 were selected for this study.

RESULTS:

The adverse factors that influenced the risk of local recurrence and the overall survival in univariate analysis were histological subtype other than osteoblastic (p = 0.017) and tumor size greater than 15 cm (p = 0.048). In relation to metastasis-free survival, the non-osteoblastic subtype had a worse prognosis (p = 0.007). The association of histological subtype maintained its significance in multivariate analysis for all studied survival categories.

CONCLUSIONS:

Tumor size greater than 15 cm is an adverse factor for local recurrence-free survival and overall survival but did not influence metastasis-free survival. The osteosarcoma histological type is a significant independent predictor for local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival.     

Do walk-in centres for commuters work? A mixed methods evaluation

Background

Between 2005 and 2007, six pilot walk-in centres were opened in or near train stations, to provide health care to commuters. They are run by independent providers on behalf of the NHS, providing access to doctors and nurses.

Aim

To evaluate the policy of commuter walk-in centres.

Design of study

Mixed methods evaluation.

Setting

Six centres in England.

Method

Site visits, interviews with 28 users, survey of 1828 users, economic estimates, and interviews with six commissioning managers.

Results

Each centre was located near a train station, although two were not within the main commuter flow. The average number of patients attending each centre on days when the user survey was undertaken was between 33 and 101 per day, considerably lower than the planned capacity of 150–180. Sixty-two per cent (1004/1627) of users identified themselves as commuters within the user survey, and 38% (95% confidence interval = 13% to 62%) had travelled to work by train that day. A large proportion of users worked in the local area (61%). The estimated cost per attendance, based on limited activity and price data, was between £52 and £150 for different centres at estimated current activity levels. Primary care trust managers'' plans for the future of the centres involved changing the focus of the service to fit their local health economy.

Conclusion

Pilot walk-in centres placed near train stations for commuters had low activity levels and high costs. A policy of placing healthcare centres in areas of high worker density may be more successful.     

Role of ultrasonography in diagnosis of scrotal disorders: a review of 110 cases

Objective

To determine the role of ultrasonography in diagnosis of scrotal disorders.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out after institutional review board approval was granted, and informed consent was waived. Between January 2005 and January 2007, 144 patients aged 12 years and older with scrotal symptoms, who underwent scrotal ultrasonography (US), were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical presentation, outcome, and US results were analysed. The presentation symptoms were divided into three groups including scrotal pain, painless scrotal mass or swelling, and others. Surgery was performed in 32 patients.

Results

Of 144 patients, 110 had clinical follow-up and constituted the material of this study. The patients ranged in age from 13 to 82 years (mean 38.6 years). Of 110 patients, 84 (76.4%) presented with scrotal pain, 21 (19%) had painless scrotal mass or swelling and 5 (4.5%) had other symptoms. Of the 84 patients with scrotal pain, 52 had infection, 4 had testicular torsion, 7 had testicular trauma, 10 had varicocele, 4 had hydrocele, 1 had epididymal cyst, 1 had scrotal sac and groin metastases, and 5 had unremarkable results. Of the 21 patients who presented with painless scrotal mass or swelling, 18 had extratesticular lesions and 3 had intratesticular lesions. All the extratesticular lesions were benign. Of the 3 intratesticular lesions, one was due to tuberculous epididymo-orchitis, one was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and one was metastasis from liposarcoma. Of the 5 patients who presented with other symptoms, 4 had undescended testes, and 1 had gynaecomastia. US gave incorrect diagnosis in only one patient with scrotal pain.

Conclusion

The most common cause of scrotal pain was infection. The most common cause of scrotal mass or swelling was extratesticular lesion. US plays an important role in the diagnosis of scrotal disorders and in planning for proper management.     

Performance and views of examiners in the Applied Knowledge Test for the nMRCGP licensing examination

Background

A new computer-based Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) has been developed for the licensing examination for general practice administered by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Aim

The aim of this evaluation was to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and validity of the test as well as its transfer to a computerised format at local test centres.

Design of study

Computer-based test and postal questionnaire.

Participants and setting

Panel of examiners, Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) examination, UK.

Method

Self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to examiners not involved with the development of the test after completing it. Their performance scores were compared with those of candidates.

Results

The majority of participants (80.9%) were satisfied with the new computer-based test. Responses relating to content and attitudes to the test were also positive overall, but some problems with content were highlighted. Fewer examiners (61.9%) were positive about the physical comfort of the test centre, including seating, heating, and lighting. Examiners had significantly higher scores (mean 83.3%, range 69 to 93%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 81.9 to 84.7%) than ‘real’ candidates (mean 75.0%, range 45 to 94%, 95% CI = 74.6 to 75.5%), who subsequently took an identical test.

Conclusion

The new computer-based licensing test (the AKT) was found to be acceptable to the majority of examiners. The pass–fail standard, determined by routine methods including an Angoff procedure, was supported by the higher success rate of examiners compared with candidates. The use of selected groups to assess high-stakes (licensing) examinations can be useful for assessing test validity.     

A randomized controlled trial comparing haemodynamic stability in elderly patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia at L5, S1 versus spinal anaesthesia at L3, 4 at a tertiary African hospital

Background

Spinal anaesthesia is a routinely used anaesthetic technique in elderly patients (> 60 years) undergoing operations involving the lower limbs, lower abdomen, pelvis and the perineum. Spinal anaesthesia has several advantages over general anaesthesia including stable haemodynamic variables, less blood loss, less post-operative pain, faster recovery time and less post-operative confusion. Despite these advantages, the sympathetic blockade induced by spinal anaesthesia can result in hypotension, bradycardia, dysrhythmias and cardiac arrests. Conventionally, spinal anaesthesia is performed at the level of L3,4 interspace; with a reported incidence of hypotension in the elderly ranging between 65% and 69%. A possible strategy for reducing spinal induced hypotension would be to minimize the peak block height to as low as possible for the planned procedure.

Objective

To determine the difference in haemodynamic stability between elderly patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia at L5, S1 interspace compared to those at L3, 4.

Methods

Thirty two elderly patients scheduled for lower limb or pelvic surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomized into 2 groups (control group and intervention group) using a computer generated table of numbers.Control group; received 2.5 mls 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine injected intrathecally at the L3, 4 interspace and Intervention group; 2.5mls 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine injected intrathecally at the L5, S1 interspace

Results

The two groups had similar baseline characteristics in age, sex, body mass index and use of anti-hypertensive medications. There was 68.8% proportion of hypotension in the control group and 75% in the intervention group. The difference was not found to be statistically significant (p= 0.694). During the study period, there were 106 episodes of hypotension, out of which, 65 were in the control group and 41 in the intervention group (p=0.004).. Linear regression analysis of the decrease in mean arterial pressures (MAP) showed a higher decrease in MAP in the control group (p 0.018). There were more crystalloids used in the control group (1006mls ± 374) than in the intervention group (606mls ±211) with a p< 0.0001. There was no difference in the amounts of vasopressors used between the two groups (p=0.288). There was no difference in the change in heart rates, conversion to general anaesthesia, use of supplementary intravenous fentanyl and the peak maximum block level achieved. The time to peak maximum sensory block level was 9.06min and 13.07min in the control group and intervention groups, respectively (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Among this population, there was no difference in the proportion of those with hypotension between the elderly patients who received their spinal anaesthesia at L3,4 and those who received spinal anaesthesia at L5,S1. The intervention group had better outcomes with significantly less episodes of hypotension. It took a longer time to achieve a maximum peak sensory block in the intervention group. Performing spinal anaesthesia at the level of L5,S1 was found to provide an adequate sensory block for a wide range of pelvic, perineal and lower limb surgeries.