SummaryWe evaluated the effect of low-dose bupivacaine plus fentanyl administered intrathecally in elderly patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group F received plain bupivacaine 4 mg with 25 lg of fentanyl and sterile water to a total of 1.5 ml, and Group B received only 0.5% plain bupivacaine 7.5 mg for spinal anaesthesia. Sensory block was adequate for surgery in all patients. The mean level of motor block was higher and the duration of motor block was longer in Group B (p < 0.0001). Hypotension and shivering were significantly more common in Group B (p < 0.05). The addition of fentanyl 25 lg to plain bupivacaine 4 mg provides adequate analgesia for transurethral prostatectomy with fewer side-effects in elderly patients when compared with the conventional dose of bupivacaine.

Esmolol provides hemodynamic stability and good surgical field visibility and should be considered as an alternative to nitroglycerine.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain and respiratory functions of lobectomy patients who were given bupivacaine or levobupivacaine with fentanyl through a paravertebral catheter. Methods. ASA I-II patients (n=40, 18-65 years old) randomized into two groups. While Group B was administered 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl, Group L was administered 0.25% levobupivacaine with fentanyl at a rate of 0.1 ml/kg/hr through paravertebral catheter for patient controlled analgesia. Visual analog scale (VAS), arterial blood gases and respiratory function tests were assessed. Results. There were no significant differences in terms of demographic characteristics and surgery durations between the groups (p>0.05). VAS scores recorded at the 1st postoperative hour were higher in both groups compared to the following hours (p<0.001), but there was no difference between the groups. FEV1 and FVC measured in the postoperative period were significantly lower than preoperative values in both groups (p<0.001); however, there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding side effects, mean values of PaO 2 , PaCO 2 and SpO 2 (p>0.05). Conclusion. Bupivacaine and levobupivacaine had equivalent efficiency and could be safely used in treatment of post-thoracotomy pain through thoracic paravertebral block.