BACKGORUND: The relationship among age, height and sensory block height in elderly patients who underwent spinal anesthesia using 0.5% heavy bupivacaine were studied. METHODS: Ninety-seven elderly patients, 65 years of age or older, who were scheduled for spinal anesthesia were divided into four groups. 8 mg of 0.5% heavy bupivacaine was injected in patients who were shorter than 160 cm, and 9 mg was injected in patients who were taller than 160 cm. Then they were further divided into a 65 74 year old group and an older than 75 year old group, and the area of sensory block was compared by the age and height. RESULTS: Sensory block height was not significantly different between the 65 74 year old group and the older than 75 year old group. Height did not correlate with sensory block height in all groups, and the distribution shapes showed variable patterns. CONCLUSiONS: The effect of age and height on the spinal sensory block height in elderly patients is small.