Low-dose spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine with intrathecal fentanyl for operative hysteroscopy: a case series study

Study Objective: To estimate the efficacy and tolerability of low dose spinal anesthesia during operative hysteroscopy in a group of patients with high surgical risks. Design: Case series study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). Setting: Tertiary centers for women health care. Patients: A total of 47 women affected by endometrial polyps (n = 32), myomas (n = 8), and abnormal uterine bleeding (n = 7) scheduled for inpatient operative hysteroscopy. Interventions: Transvaginal ultrasonography; office diagnostic hysteroscopy; preoperative evaluation of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) classification; inpatient operative hysteroscopy; low-dose spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine; compilation of a questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: Practicability and patients' subjective experiences with spinal anesthesia; duration of cervical dilation and for operative hysteroscopy; infusion volume needed; incidence of surgical complications. Results: Resectoscopy was performed in all patients, with the exception of 1 woman (2.1%) in which spinal anesthesia was unsuccessful. No statistically significant differences were noted among groups in terms of intra- and peri-operative findings. Sensory block induced by spinal anesthesia was suitable for surgery in all patients, and side effects occurred far less frequently than mentioned in the literature. Data reported in the questionnaire revealed that 93.5% of women would choose a spinal anesthesia again for a potential operative hysteroscopy in the future, since for 89.1% of them long lasting anesthesia is of relevance. Conclusions: Low-dose spinal anesthesia is a feasible technique in the inpatient setting for operative hysteroscopy in women with high surgical risks. © 2012 AAGL.