title: Comparison of unilateral spinal and continous spinal anesthesia for hip surgery in elderly patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continous spinal anesthesia (CSA) and frequently unilateral spinal anesthesia (USpA) are usually preferred for lower extremity surgeries. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of these anesthetic techniques, on hemodynamic parameters, quality of anesthesia and complications in elderly patients undergoing hip surgeries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients aged 65 years and older, assigned to receive either CSA or USpA with 7.5 mg (1.5 cc) 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine initially. In CSA group, additional doses of 2.5 mg bupivacaine were applied until sensory block reach to T10. Maximum sensorial block level, time to reach the level of T10 (defined as onset time) and to regress to T12, hemodynamic parameters and ephedrine requirements were recorded peroperatively and during 2 h postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hemodynamic parameters, ephedrine requirements and regression of sensory block by two levels were similar in two groups. The onset time of anesthesia was significantly longer in USpA group than CSA group. Neuraxial anesthesia had to be converted to general anesthesia in 5 patients (25%) in CSA group and 1 patient (5%) in USpA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that both USpA and CSA techniques have similar effects in elderly high risk patients. On the other hand, USpA is more preferable for surgeries with shorter durations due to its low cost and high success rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Leyla T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Kilinc
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: G Ulufer
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Sivrikaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Birsen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eksioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanci
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hale
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dobrucali
keywords: Anesthesia; continous; elderly; spinal; unilateral