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Auditory function following spinal analgesia. Comparison of two spinal needles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

S. K. Malhotra ,
M. Joshi ,
S. Grover ,
S. C. Sharma  and
A. Dutta
S. K. Malhotra
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
M. Joshi
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
S. Grover
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
S. C. Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
A. Dutta
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Abstract

Background and objective: Auditory impairment is among the lesser known complications of spinal analgesia. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of vestibulocochlear dysfunction in patients undergoing spinal analgesia for lower abdominal surgery.

Methods: Eighty patients who had received spinal analgesia for lower abdominal surgery were studied. Males were undergoing inguinal herniorraphy and the females tubectomy. Audiograms were performed before operation and on the second and seventh postoperative days. Hearing levels were measured from 250 Hz-8 kHz. In Group 1 (n = 40) a 22-gauge, cutting type of spinal needle (Howard Jones) was used. In Group 2 (n = 40) a 25-gauge, non-cutting spinal needle (Whitacre) was used.

Results: Hearing loss ' 10 dB was noticed in three patients in Group 1 and none in Group 2. The mean hearing level was more reduced in Group 1 patients.

Conclusions: Use of cutting type spinal needle is associated with a greater decrease in mean hearing levels compared to the non-cutting type.

Keywords

anaesthesiaconductionanaesthesiaspinalsensation disordershearing disordersdeafnesshearing losscentral
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 69 - 72
Copyright
2002 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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