Auditory function following spinal analgesia. Comparison of two spinal needles.
OBJECTIVE
Auditory impairment is among the lesser known complications of spinal analgesia. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of vestibulocochlear dysfunction in patients undergoing spinal analgesia for lower abdominal surgery.


METHODS
Eighty patients who had received spinal analgesia for lower abdominal surgery were studied. Males were undergoing inguinal herniorraphy and the females tubectomy. Audiograms were performed before operation and on the second and seventh postoperative days. Hearing levels were measured from 250 Hz-8 kHz. In Group 1 (n = 40) a 22-gauge, cutting type of spinal needle (Howard Jones) was used. In Group 2 (n = 40) a 25-gauge, non-cutting spinal needle (Whitacre) was used.


RESULTS
Hearing loss >10 dB was noticed in three patients in Group 1 and none in Group 2. The mean hearing level was more reduced in Group 1 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of cutting type spinal needle is associated with a greater decrease in mean hearing levels compared to the non-cutting type.
Malhotra
S K
SK
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. drskmalhotra@yahoo.com
Joshi
M
M
Grover
S
S
Sharma
S C
SC
Dutta
A
A
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001299:Audiometry; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period