Evaluation of the effect of epidural volume Extension on the characteristic of Subarachnoid blockade with low dose of Hyperbaric bupivacaine for infraumbilical Surgeries- a one year randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid block with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine has been extensively used for infraumbilical surgeries. However, the associated hypotension restricts the dose which can be safely administered especially in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions. Epidural volume extension is a technique which is postulated to increase the maximum sensory level achieved using low dose of local anesthetic in subarachnoid block without the associated hemodynamic instability normally expected. Hence this study

has been undertaken to assess the effect of epidural volume extension on characteristics of low dose subarachnoid block.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the onset and duration of sensory blockade, maximum level of sensory block achieved and onset and duration of motor blockade in both groups, i.e., with and without epidural volume extension and to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters between the two groups.