Spinal Block

Words: 1054
Pages: 5
Open Document
spinal block is a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia when the surgical site is located on the lower body wall. Because of the challenges of identifying the epidural space and the toxicity associated with the large doses of local anesthetics needed for epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia was the dominant form of neuraxial anesthesia well into the 20th century. Spinal block can be used as the sole source of anesthesia. Alternatively, spinal and epidural anesthesia can be used jointly, taking advantage of the qualities of both techniques: the rapid, dense sensorimotor blockade of a spinal anesthetic and the opportunity to redose the patient with an epidural catheter anesthetic.
Spinal anesthesia produces intense sensory and …show more content…
For instance, a brief period of postoperative analgesia can be facilitated by adding an opioid to the local anesthetic injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. Prolonged postoperative analgesia is best ensured by insertion of an epidural catheter, using an opioid and local anesthetic combination infused continuously over the first few postoperative days. See the table below for a comparison of subarachnoid and epidural anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia is a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia when the surgical site is located on the lower extremities, or lower body wall. Cesarean deliveries are routinely performed under spinal anesthesia, as are total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Advantages include avoidance of general anesthesia and the airway management concerns that accompany general anesthesia. However, that is not to suggest that spinal anesthesia is always the best course in a patient likely to have difficulties with endotracheal intubation. All patients with difficult airways, no matter what anesthetic plan is chosen, should have a well thoughout plan for airway management, should it be …show more content…
It is important but as yet unclear what level of blood pressure is appropriate under subarachnoid block. As this remains unclear, practitioners will invariably choose to support the patient’s blood pressure through use of vasopressor medications and intravenous fluids. However, the value of intravenous fluid resuscitation in supporting blood pressure has been in dispute. Perhaps because of the rapid redistribution of crystalloid out of the intravascular space, preloading the patient with these solutions may have minimal benefit for prevention hypotension. Prehydration with colloid solutions may be more effective. In a study of pregnant patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, having patients sit up for 5 minutes before placing them supine reduced requirements for intravenous fluids and ephedrine and decreased nausea, vomiting and
Show More

Related Documents: Spinal Block

Critical Appraisal Summary

main aim of this study is to review the efficacy of two different spinal immobilisation techniques on cervical spine movement such as traditional spine immobilisation (TSI) and spinal motion restriction (SMR) within a stimulated pre-hospital setting. This study used a counterbalance cross over design which means that half of participants will undergo the traditional spinal immobilisation (TSI) whilst the other half will undergo spinal motion restriction (SMR) whereas the crossover component means that…

Words 296 - Pages 2

Bsbwor501 Final Exam Paper

following an unexpectedly prolonged sensory or motor blockade after neuraxial anesthesia or analgesia? A. Reduction or discontinuation of local anesthetic infusion and reexamination B. Neuroimaging for compressive lesion or spinal cord ischemia C. Corticosteroids if ischemic spinal cord injury D. Maintain normal blood pressure or consider inducing high-normal-range blood pressure Answer: C Should an unexpected prolonged sensory or motor blockade occur following a neuraxial anesthesia or analgesia,…

Words 1114 - Pages 5

Chiari Mormation Research Paper

through foramen magnum. Having a Chiari malformation can put pressure on the cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord and can keep those body parts from working properly. It may block the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and protects them from injury. If cerebrospinal fluid doesn't flow properly, it can cause hydrocephalus. This buildup can block communication of the brain's messages to the body. It was estimated that Chiari malformation occurs…

Words 1409 - Pages 6

Pros And Cons Of The CSE Technique

CONCERNS OF THE CSE TECHNIQUE Complications Associated With Spinal Migration of the Epidural Catheter CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN CSE TECHNIQUE Combined spinal epidural versus epidural analgesia Conventional epidural analgesia has disadvantage of slow onset and higher rate of instrumental delivery while spinal anaesthesia in standard doses causes hypotension and bradycardia which might further compromise critical foetal condition. Combined spinal- epidural (CSE) analgesia with low dose of intrathecal local…

Words 1019 - Pages 5

The Ins2 Essay

can cause just as much harm as good. Fortunately, a new product is on the rise that can treat chronic pain without the harmful side effects of drugs. The Implantable Neural Sensing and Stimulation, or INS2, is a tiny chip that can be attached to the spinal cord capable of sufficiently blocking pain signals that are traveling to the brain. This "smart chip" has huge potential for effectively treating chronic pain, as well as other nervous system conditions, and can therefore help to decrease the need…

Words 1171 - Pages 5

Essay about Stages of Spinal Cord Injury Research

STAGES OF SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH. IT ACTED AS AN INTRODUCTION TO MY PERSUASIVE SPEECH ON THE BENEFITS OF STEM CELL RESEARCH) There are about a quarter of a million people in the United States living with spinal cord injuries. In addition, between 7,600 and 10,000 new injuries occur each year. Nearly half of these new injuries will occur in young people between the ages of 16 and 30. As a person in this category, I have become very interested in the research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries…

Words 1081 - Pages 5

Essay on Herniated Cervical Disks

when the outside layer of the disks, or annulus fibrosis, begins to tear and the inside of the disk, or the nucleus pulposus, is displaced into the space occupied by the spinal nerves. When a disk is herniated, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the shoulders or arms, and can sometimes put pressure on the spinal cord, which can cause issues in the legs. X-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are all ways to determine whether someone has…

Words 559 - Pages 3

Perheral Neuropathy Research Paper

network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to other parts our bodies. The nervous system includes,central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Our body is made up of billions of nerve cells or neurons which join together to make nerves. They are fragile and can be damaged easily. A nerve is a fiber that sends impulses through the body! (Appendix A Figure 1). The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. It controls all the body functions…

Words 659 - Pages 3

Drugs acting on the central nervous sys Essay

methadone and diamorphine (heroin), all block opiate receptors, blocking transmission of pain signals in the brain and spinal chord. The brain’s natural endorphins appear to have a similar action. The brain neurotransmitter dopamine has a number of roles, including muscle control, pain inhibition and general stimulation. Some psychosis disorders such as schizophrenia and manic depression are caused by an excess of dopamine, and antipsychotic drugs are used to block the dopamine receptors and so reduce…

Words 510 - Pages 3

Pain Perception Research Paper

information have very little or no myelin. It takes about 2 to 20 meters/second for this process to occur. The thicker and faster axons carry information for sharper pain, while the thinner ones carry information for duller pains. Morphine is able to block pains caused by duller pains like those that are experienced post-surgery. morphine, however, cannot inhibit shaper, more intense pain, such as that experienced during invasive surgeries. It is best to start receiving morphine before surgery so that…

Words 1252 - Pages 6