[Serum electrolytes during neuroleptic analgesia and spinal anaesthesia (author's transl)]

Spinal anaesthesia is particularly suitable for operations on the prostate in geriatric patients. We investigated the effects of spinal anaesthesia, using Bupivacaine 0.5%, on electrolyte metabolism in 12 patients and compared these with the effects of neuroleptanalgesia in 13 patients. Neuroleptanalgesia did not affect electrolytic concentrations, whereas spinal anaesthesia was associated with a temporary slight fall in potassium concentration.