Application of spinal anesthesia with ropivacaine combined with sufentanil in the elderly

Objective To observe the outcomes of spinal anesthesia with ropivacaine combined with sufentanil in the elderly.Methods Spinal anesthesia was performed in 75 patients,aged 65-81 years old and undergoing selective lower limb surgery,who were equally randomized into three groups.The anasthetic drugs for spinal anesthesia were ropivacaine 15 mg in group A,ropivacaine 10 mg in group B and ropivacaine 10 mg plus sufentanil 5 μg in group C.The changes of MAP and HR were monitored before and in 20 min after subarachnoid administration.The outcomes of nerve blockade,postoperative analgesia time and complications were recorded.Results After subarachnoid administration,MAP in group A was significantly lower than that before and that in groups of B and C(P0.05),which in group C was not decreased significantly.The postoperative analgesia time in group C was similar to that in group A,but longer than that in group B(P0.05).Compared to groups of B and C,the highest block plane was higher,Bromage grade was higher with longer motor blockade,and the cases with postoperative urinary retention were more in group A(P0.05).Conclusion Spinal anesthesia with ropivacaine 10 mg combined with sufentanil 5 μg can provide a sufficient nerve blockade with stable circulation and less postoperative adverse responses,which is a good choice for the elderly undergoing lower extremity surgery.