The effects on sensorial block, motor block, and haemodynamics of levobupivacaine at different temperatures applied in the subarachnoid space.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of 0.5% levobupivacaine at 37 °C preheated from room temperature, on sensorial block, motor block, and haemodynamics in patients undergoing transurethral prostate resection (TUR-P).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: Group I patients were injected with 3 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine solution which had been kept at room temperature for at least 24 hours and Group II patients were injected with 3 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine solution which had been kept at 37 °C for at least 24 hours. The patients were examined in terms of sensorial block, motor block, haemodynamic profile, and incidence of side effects.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of demographic data. The time to reach T 10 sensory block and the time of starting motor block were found to be significantly shorter in Group II. The duration of sensory block over T 10 and T 6, the duration of L 1 regression, the duration of the sensory block, and the regression time of the motor blocks from 3 to 2 were found to be longer in Group II.

CONCLUSION

The use of 0.5% levobupivacaine spinal anaesthesia heated to 37 °C accelerated the start of sensory and motor block.