Comparing the effect of different degrees elevation of lower limb in the prevention of hypotension following spinal anesthesia for lower abdominal operation

Abstract

Background: Today, gynecologic and orthopedic surgeries under spinal anesthesia are widely used in the world but hypotension during anesthesia is abundantly accrued. Hence, several methods are prescribed to cure and prevent hypotension. Physical method such as leg wrapping or elevation of lower limb during surgery is one of the used methods, but its effects are suspected yet. Thus, the aim of this study was comparing the effects of different degrees of elevation of lower limb to prevent hypotension in patients under lower abdomen surgery with spinal anesthesia. Methods: In a clinical trial study, 105 candidates for lower abdomen surgery were selected and randomly divided in three groups. In the first group, patients’ legs were not elevated but in the second and third groups, they were elevated for 15 and 30 degrees, respectively and incidence of hypotension was compared between the three groups. The SPSS software was used for data analysis. Findings: According to the results of this study, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the above three groups was decreased to the same extent. And according to one way ANOVA, no statistically difference between the three groups was seen. The mean of systolic blood pressure before anesthesia were 136.2 � 24.4, 131.5 � 32.0 and 140.4 � 25.3, respectively in the three groups (P = 0.24). Also the mean of systolic blood pressure in 60th min were 109.8 � 19.3, 118.6 � 18.5 and 114.4 � 16.8, respectively in the three groups (P = 0.64). Conclusion: According to results of our study, elevation of patients’ legs during surgery under spinal anesthesia does not prevent hypotension but according to other studies, this action may help to prevent hypotension during spinal anesthesia; thus, other studies are need to approve this method. � 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.