Spinal, epidural, and caudal blocks are also known as
neuraxial anesthesia.
Reduce the incidence of
Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Cardiac complications in high-risk patients
Bleeding and transfusion requirements
Vascular graft occlusion
Pneumonia and respiratory depression
following upper
abdominal or thoracic surgery in patients
with chronic lung
disease.
Ligaments:-The vertebral bodies are stablised by five
ligaments. These are :-
Supraspinous ligaments-This forms ligamentumnuche
above T-7 and attaches to occipital protuberance at the base
of the skull.
Ineterspinous ligaments-attaches between the
spinous process.
Ligamentum Flavum: The ligamentum flvm is thickest
in the mid line measuring 3-5 mm at the L2-L5 inter space in
adults. This is also farthest from the spinal menisges in the
midline measuring 4-6 mm at L2-L3 inter space.
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments run
along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vertebral
bodies
Meninges:-
Three protective coverings, dura mater, arachnoid
mater and pia mater cover the spinal cord.
The space before the dura mater is epidural space.
Caudially the dura mater ends approximately at S-2,
where it fuses with the final terminale.
The subarachnoid space lies between the arachnoid
mater and pia mater, containing cerebrospinal fluid.
Pia mater is adherent to the spinal cord.
The pia mater extends up to the tip of the spinal
cord where it it continues as filum terminale which
anchors the spinal cord to the sacrum.
Spinal Cord
•Adult
Begins: Foramen Magnum
Ends: L1
•Newborn
Begins: Foramen Magnum
Ends: L3
•Terminal End: Conus Medullaris
•Filum Terminale: Anchors in sacral region
•Cauda Equina: Nerve group of lower dural
sac
Space that surrounds the spinal
meninges
•Potential space
Ligamentum Flavum
•Binds epidural space posteriorly
Widest at Level L2 (5-6mm)
Narrowest at Level C5 (1-1.5mm)
Dura Mater
◦Outer most layer
◦Fibrous
Arachnoid
◦Middle layer
◦Non-vascular
Pia
◦Inner most layer
◦Highly vascular
Sub Arachnoid
Space
◦Lies between the
arachnoid and pia
Vasoconstrictors
•Prolong duration of spinal block
Factors Effecting Distribution
•Site of injection
•Shape of spinal column
•Patient height
•Angulation of needle
•Volume of CSF
•Characteristics of local anesthetic
Density
Specific gravity
Baracity
•Dose
•Volume
•Patient position
Anesthesia level is determined by patient
position
Uptake of local anesthetic occurs by
diffusion
Elimination determines duration of block
•Lipid solubility decreases vascular absorption
•Vasoconstriction can decrease rate of
elimination
Blockade of Sympathetic Preganglionic
Neurons
•Send signals to both arteries and veins
•Predominant action is venodilation
Reduces:
Venous return
Stroke volume
Cardiac output
Blood pressure
•T1-T4 Blockade
Causes unopposed vagal stimulation
Bradycardia
Associated with decrease venous return & cardioaccelerator fibers
blockade
Decreased venous return to right atrium causes decreased stretch
receptor response
Treatment
•Best way to treat is physiologic not
pharmacologic
•Primary Treatment
Increase the cardiac preload
Large IV fluid bolus within 30 minutes prior to spinal
placement, minimum 1 liter of crystalloids
•Secondary Treatment
Pharmacologic
Ephedrine is more effective than Phenylephrine
Healthy Patients
•Appropriate spinal blockade has little effect
on ventilation
High Spinal
•Decrease functional residual capacity (FRC)
Paralysis of abdominal muscles
Intercostal muscle paralysis interferes with
coughing and clearing secretions
Apnea is due to hypoperfusion of respiratory
center
Midline Approach
•Skin
•Subcutaneous tissue
•Supraspinous ligament
•Interspinous ligament
•Ligamentum flavum
•Epidural space
•Dura mater
•Arachnoid mater
Paramedian or Lateral Approach
•Same as midline excluding supraspinous &
interspinous ligaments
Advantages
•Full stomach
•Anatomic distortions of upper airway
•TURP surgery
•Obstetrical surgery (T4 Level)
•Decreased post-operative pain
•Continuous infusion
Contraindications
•Absolute:
Refusal
Infection
Coagulopathy
Severe hypovolemia
Increased intracranial pressure
Severe aortic or mitral stenosis
•Relative:
Peripheral neuropathy
Mini dose heparin
Fixed output cardiac lesion
Uncooperative pt
Prolonged surgery
Complications
Anaphylaxis
Backach
Headach (PDPH)
Urinary retention
Spinal shock.
Cauda equina injury
Hypothermia
Meningitis
Broken needle
Bleeding resulting in haematoma, with or without
subsequent neurological sequelae due to
compression of the spinal nerves
Infection: immediate within six hours of the spinal
anaesthetic manifesting as meningism or
meningitis or late, at the site of injection, in the
form of pus discharge, due to improper
sterilization of the LP set.
Test Dose: 1.5% Lido with Epi 1:200,000
◦Tachycardia (increase >30bpm over resting HR)
◦High blood pressure
◦Light headedness
◦Metallic taste in mouth
◦Ring in ears
◦Facial numbness
◦Note: if beta blocked will only see increase in
BP not HR
Bolus Dose: Preferred Local of Choice
◦10 milliliters for labor pain
◦20-30 milliliters for C-section
Distances from Skin to Epidural Space
•Average adult: 4-6cm
•Obese adult: up to 8cm
•Thin adult: 3cm
Assessment of Sensory Blockade
•Alcohol swab
Most sensitive initial indicator to assess loss of
temperature
•Pin prick
Most accurate assessment of overall sensory block
Hip and Knee Surgery
• Lower Extremity Vascular Surgery
• Lower Extremity Amputation
• Obstetrical – Labor & C/S
• Thoracic Surgery – Post-Op Pain
Control
• Thoracic Trauma
• Abdominal Surgery – Post-Op Pain
control
Complications
•Penetration of a blood vessel
•Hypotension (nausea & vomiting)
•Head ache
•Back pain
•Intravascular catheterization
•Wet tap
•Infection
Anatomy
•Sacrum
Triangular bone
5 fused sacral vertebrae
Needle Insertion
•Sacrococcygeal
membrane
•No subcutaneous bulge
or crepitous at site of
injection after 2-3ml
Post Operative Problems
•Pain at injection site is most common
•Slight risk of neurological complications
•Risk of infection
Dosages
•S5-L2: 15-20ml
•S5-T10: 25ml