Objectives: It was aimed to compare the effects of epidural and continuous spinal anesthesia.

Material and Methods: In 35 patients who were to be operated from lower extremities, epidural anesthesia was performed in groupI (n=18) and continuous spinal anesthesia in groupII (n=17). 15 mL(300 mg) of 2%prilocaine as initial dose and 5 mL (100 mg) as additional dose was administered in the group I; in the group II the initial dose was 2.5 mL(50 mg), and additional dose 1mL (20 mg). Hemodynamic parameters, sensorial and motor block levels were recorded every 5 minutes. Intraoperative complications were watched for.

Results: Heart rate(HR) and blood pressure(BP) was found to be lower than basal values after the 10.min in group I., HR and BP after 45.min in the group II. Time for sensorial blockade commencement was found to be longer in group I compared to group II.. Duration of sensorial blockade was not found to be different between groups. Motor blockade did not happen in the group I; motor blockade occured in all cases of group II.

Conclusion: It is concluded that continuous spinal compared to epidural anesthesia, improved patient comfort by providing better hemodynamic stability and motor blockade with less local anesthetic dose, by affecting faster and causing fewer intraoperative complications, but more technical problems might be encountered. ©2007, Firat University, Medical Faculty