[Effect of horizontal lithotomy position on spread of hyperbaric dibucaine spinal anesthesia]

We have studied the effect of horizontal lithotomy position on the spread of hyperbaric dibucaine spinal anesthesia. In three groups of 20 patients, 7.2 mg of hyperbaric dibucaine was injected intrathecally in the lateral decubitus position. In group supine, the patients were kept in supine horizontal position in which patient's legs and thighs were extended throughout the operation. In group lithotomy A, immediately after the spinal injection, the patients were placed into the lithotomy position. In group lithotomy B, after the spinal injection, the patients were placed immediately in the supine horizontal position for 15 min and then placed into the lithotomy position. There were no significant differences in height of sensory blockade among the three groups. The lithotomy position did not significantly affect the level of sensory blockade with hyperbaric dibucaine.