Evaluation of the Distribution of Topical Bupivacaine in Epidural anesthesia with MRI

2nd week November 2011 > Saryazdi

Epidural anesthesia is one of the most common anesthesia methods, in surgical procedures. Since there is not any exact information about the spread of local anesthetic substances in epidural area, in this study we evaluated the distribution of Bupivacaine in epidural anesthesia.

After giving necessary information and signing the permission form, 24 patient candidates for elective cholecystectomy were enrolled in the study. They were selected by simple probable method. Before the surgery in sitting position by aseptic technique 8 CC bupivacaine plus 1 CC magnevist (as contrast) injected to the epidural space. Then patient transferred to the MRI room and images prepared by MRI studied by the radiologist. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured at the injection time and 5 and 10 minute later.

Among 24 patients (15 women and 9 men) we recognized that the mean distribution of applied medications in men and women were 4.8 and 5.5 level respectivly (P < 0.05). There was not any relationship between local anesthetic distribution with age and weight. Height and body mass index had a significant convert correlation with the distribution of bupivacaine. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly decreased in studied times.

We found that the distribution of bupivacaine among men are less than women. The distribution of bupivacaine in cephalad direction was more than codal direction.