After standard intravenous midazolam premedication ( 0.05 mg/kg ) and crystalloid infusion ( 7 mL/kg ) were given , patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position on the operative side , and randomly allocated to receive spinal block with either 4 mg ( Group 4 , n = 30 ) , 6 mg ( Group 6 , n = 30 ) , or 8 mg ( Group 8 , n = 30 ) of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine injected slowly ( 3 mL/min ) with the needle orifice directed toward the dependent side using a 25-gauge Whitacre needle .
