Comparison of Spinal Anesthesia Quality Between Patients Addicted and Not Addicted to Opium.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the quality of spinal anesthesia between opium-dependent and opium-naive patients.

DESIGN

A case-control study.

METHODS

Two groups of subjects including opium-dependent and opium-naive patients (30 per group) were enrolled. Spinal anesthesia was performed using 15 mg of bupivacaine. The level of anesthesia was assessed every minute for 10 min and then every 10 min for 180 min. Motor block was recorded at 10, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. The duration of anesthesia was recorded.

FINDINGS: The mean duration of spinal anesthesia was significantly shorter in opium-dependent patients (101.45 ± 28.670) than in opium-naive patients (126.14 ± 24.206) (P = .003). The mean onset of sensory block was not significantly different between the two groups (4.14 ± 1.62 vs 3.69 ± 1.36, P = .259).

CONCLUSIONS

Substance abuse affects the duration of spinal anesthesia, so it is recommended to use intravenous medications or higher doses of spinal marcaine for these patients.