title: [Multiple linear regression analysis for predictability of the extent of spinal anesthesia by plain bupivacaine].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Mikiya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otsuji
authors.forename: Nagara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohno
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Yoshitsugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine