The efficacy of spinal anesthesia with different doses of bupivacaine combined with sufentanil in elderly patients

Objective To investigate the effect of spinal anesthesia with different doses of bupivacaine and sufentanil in elderly patients undergoing transurethral electrovaporization of prostate.Methods Sixty ASAⅡorⅢpatients aged 61-83 yrs undergoing elective transurethral electrovaporization of prostate were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=20 each):group A received bupivacaine 15 mg;group B bupivacaine 7.5 mg+sufentanil 5μg and group C bupivacaine 7.5 mg+sufentanil 2.5μg.Sensory and motor blockade was evaluated using pinprick and modified bromage scale (MBS 0=no motor block,3=inability to flex toes).Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters before and after subarachnoid injection and side effects were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in the height of sensory block and the time to reach the highest level among the 3 groups.The duration of sensory block was longest in group A and shortest in group C.The MBS was highest in group A and lowest in group C (P＜0.01).MAP and HR were significantly decreased after subarachnoid injection in group A while in group B and C there were no significant changes in MAP and HR after subarachnoid injection.There was no significant change in SpO_2 in the 3 groups.The most frequent side effect was shivering in group A and pruritus in group B and C.Conclusion Spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine 7.5 mg combined with sufentanil 5μg is safe and efficacious for elderly patients.