[Multiple linear regression analysis for predictability of the extent of spinal anesthesia by plain bupivacaine].
BACKGROUND
Predictability of the extent of spinal anesthesia by plain bupivacaine has been controversial.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-eight patients undergoing elective surgery with spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this retrospective study. Using gender, age, height, body mass index (BMI), chosen spinal interspace for spinal tap (L2-3 or L3-4), and dose of plain bupivacaine as independent variables, we performed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to examine predictability of the extent of sensory blockade produced by spinal anesthesia using plain bupivacaine.


RESULTS
Following equation was obtained. Extent of sensory blockade = 14.9 + (male : 0.540, female: -0.540) -0.0774 x height + 0.124 x BMI + (L2-3 : 0.345, L3-4: -0.345): r2 = 0.0604. P values of gender, height and BMI were less than 0.05; however, r2 of each variable was very low.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this retrospective study imply the unpredictability of the extent of spinal anesthesia produced by plain bupivacaine.
Kitamura
Takayuki
T
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655.
Ogawa
Makoto
M
Otsuji
Mikiya
M
Ohno
Nagara
N
Saito
Yuichiro
Y
Yamada
Yoshitsugu
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002045:Bupivacaine; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D002045:Bupivacaine