Impact of height on spinal anesthesia for elective caesarean section: A retrospective study

The aim of this study was to compare the level of sensory block in parturients with different body height, after spinal anesthesia with local anesthetic of fixed volume and consistence. This retrospective study was conducted on 107 women, which underwent caesarean section under spinal anesthesia. It was hypothesized that maternal height was not associated with level of sensory block. Parturients were divided into two groups, based on their body height. Group A (n=65) included those with height ≤165 cm and group B (n=42) those with height of ≥166 cm. Subarachnoid space was reached with a 25G needle through the L3-L4 spinal space. Then, ropivacaine 20mg and 10mcg fentanyl (in solution of 2.8 ml) was given. The level of spinal anesthesia was assessed and reported 5 minutes after the spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters were measured every 3 minutes. Titrated doses of ephedrine or phenylephrine were administered as required. Also, Apgar score of the newborn was assessed at 1st and 5th minute. All parturients had adequate spinal block for caesarean section and groups were similar considering the level of spinal anesthesia. Moreover, parturients in the groups had no differences considering systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the use of vasoconstrictor drugs. Finally, Apgar score of the newborns measured at the first and fifth minute after birth was found to be normal and did not differ statistically in both groups. Body height of parturients and level of sensory block after spinal anesthesia with a fixed intrathecal solution for elective caesarean section seems to be two independent variables.