Spinal perianal block: a prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison with spinal saddle block.
BACKGROUND
In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, we evaluated whether a very low dose of spinal bupivacaine could be sufficient for safe performance of short perianal surgery.


METHODS
Eighty patients were randomly assigned to receive hyperbaric bupivacaine doses of either 1.5 mg (n = 40) or 6.0 mg (n = 40).


RESULTS
The lower dose produced satisfactory anesthesia with a more limited block (median S4; P < 0.01), earlier time to ambulation (98 vs 147 min; P < 0.01), and hospital discharge (126 vs 249 min; P < 0.01), compared with the higher spinal dose.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 1.5 mg spinal bupivacaine can be successful for short perianal surgery.
Wassef
Medhat R
MR
Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Elmhurst Hospital, New York, USA. medhatrwassef@verizon.net
Michaels
Emil I
EI
Rangel
Jeffrey M
JM
Tsyrlin
Arkadiy T
AT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002045:Bupivacaine