title: Intrathecal pethidine as sole anaesthetic agent for operative procedures of the lower limb, inguinal area and perineum.
abstract: Intrathecal pethidine as a sole anaesthetic agent for surgical procedures of the lower limbs, perineum and inguinal areas was investigated and compared with hyperbaric Bupivacaine. A total of 90 patients were studied and randomly divided into groups 1 (bupivacaine) and 2 (pethidine). In group 2, 26 of 46 patients (59%) had their procedures successfully with intrathecal pethidine alone and did not require or request any additional sedation or analgesia. This compared to 24 of 44 patients (52.2%) in the bupivacaine group. Pethidine had a prolonged postoperative analgesia and was more cost-effective. The incidences of side effects were acceptable. (hypotension 13.6%, bradycardia 9.09%, nausea and vomiting 11.4%, and pruritus 15.9%). Pethidine can be used as a sole anaesthetic agent for operative procedures of the lower limbs; side effects are mild and can be treated.
authors: Section of Anaesthesia, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. tkmetalor@jamaica.com
authors: K O
authors: KO
authors: Ehikhametalor
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008614:Meperidine; D002045:Bupivacaine