Influence of sedation on patients' perceptions and recovery in patients undergoing minor perianal procedures under spinal saddle block.
OBJECTIVE
Additional intra-operative sedation may help improve acceptability and comfort of anaesthesia in patients undergoing minor anorectal (perianal) procedures under spinal saddle block. This observational study was done to determine which patients request sedatives and to what extent sedatives affect the patients' recovery.


METHODS
During a 6-month period, 500 patients undergoing minor perianal procedures received 1.0 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%). On request, a light sedation with propofol in bolus application was provided. Patients were evaluated postoperatively using a standardized questionnaire about their perceptions before, during and 48 h after the administration of anaesthesia.


RESULTS
More female (91/143, 63.6%) than male (136/259, 52.5%) patients (p = 0.0312) received sedation. Patients with sedation were significantly younger (46.7 +/- 13.8 vs. 50 +/- 13.8 years, p = 0.0171) and had a lower body mass index (BMI; 25.6 +/- 4.3 vs. 27.5 +/- 5.1, p < 0.0001). Time to mobilization and first micturition was significantly longer in patients with sedation (4.8 vs. 4.4 h, p = 0.0194 and 5.8 vs. 5.4 h, p = 0.0188), which was associated with a higher incidence of nausea (7.5 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.0083).


CONCLUSIONS
Female gender, younger age, lower body weight and lower BMI were associated with higher subjective requirements for sedation. The use of sedation showed prolongation of time to first mobilization and micturition and a higher incidence of nausea.
Schmittner
Marc D
MD
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. marc.schmittner@anaes.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Janke
Christoph
C
Limmer
Marc E
ME
Weiss
Christel
C
Bussen
Dieter G
DG
Beck
Grietje C
GC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol