Continuous Spinal Anesthesia in Renal Transplantation

Continuous spinal anesthesia will be performed for patients of the CSA group at the L3-L4 intervertebral space using Spinocath (B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany). After the cerebrospinal fluid is aspirated, 7.5 mg hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% (1.5 ml) together with 25 micrograms Fentanyl (0.5 ml) will be injected intra-thecally. Supplemental injections will be given in aliquots of 5 mg hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% (1 ml) if the sensory block is lower or reseeds, during surgery, below T6 dermatome.

Anesthesia will be induced with intra-venous administration of Fentanyl (2 micrograms/kg), Ptopofol (1-2 mg/kg) and Atracurium (0.5 mg/kg). Maintenance will be achieved with 0.8-1.5% Isoflurane in an O2 / air mixture, an Atracurium infusion at 0.5 mg/kg/hr and a Fentanyl infusion at 1 micrograms/kg/hr.