Comparison of intrathecal magnesium, fentanyl, or placebo combined with bupivacaine 0.5% for parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of magnesium has been reported to potentiate opioid antinociception in rats and humans. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, study, we investigated the sensory, motor, and analgesic block characteristics of i.t. magnesium 50 mg compared with fentanyl 25 microg and saline when added to 0.5% bupivacaine (10 mg).

METHODS: Ninety ASA I or II adult patients undergoing cesarean section were randomly allocated to receive 1.0 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride in group S, 50 mg of magnesium sulfate (1.0 ml) 5% in group M, or 25 microg of fentanyl (1.0 ml) in group F following 10 mg of bupivacaine 0.5% i.t. We recorded the following: onset and duration of sensory and motor block, maximal sensory block height, the time to reach the maximal dermatomal level of sensory block, and the duration of spinal anesthesia.

RESULTS: Magnesium did not shorten the onset time of sensory and motor blockade or prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia. The duration of sensory (P<0.032) and motor (P<0.002) blockade was significantly shorter in M and S groups than in the F group. The time to reach the maximal dermatomal level of sensory block was significantly shorter in the F group than in the S and M groups (P<0.002).

CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia, the addition of magnesium sulfate (50 mg) i.t. to 10 mg of spinal bupivacaine (0.5%) did not shorten the onset time of sensory and motor blockade or prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia, as seen with fentanyl.