Moving towards Regional Anaesthesia for Spine Surgery – Need of the Hour

Abstract

Background: In the last few decades, many studies have been conducted on comparison between general anaesthesia (GA) versus spinal anaesthesia (SA) for lumbar spine surgeries and each have reported discrepancies between the two methods of induction with equivalent pros and cons; ultimately failing to state a final conclusive method. With the ongoing COVID pandemic, and the fear of aerosol generation associated with GA; our focus has shifted on regional anesthesia completely, as it is been proven safer and more hassle-free to conduct during these challenging times. Materials and Methods: A similar case study was conducted with 178 patients posted for lumbar spine procedures under the same surgeon. Wherein, 86 received GA and 92 SA. Appropriate statistical analysis was applied to identify differences in blood loss, operative time, time from entering the operating room (OR) until incision, time from bandage placement to exiting the OR, total anesthesia time, PACU time, and total hospital stay. Secondary outcomes of interest included incidence of postoperative spinal hematoma and death, incidence of paraparesis, paraplegia, paraesthesia, post-Dural puncture headache, signs of meningism, urinary retention, and other perioperative complications among the SA patients. Results: SA was associated with significantly lower operative time, blood loss, total anaesthesia time, time from entering the OR until incision, time from bandage placement until exiting the OR. SA was also associated with shorter stay in the PACU, and overall lesser total duration of hospital stay. None of the 92 patients in SA group needed conversion to GA or had an episode of high/complete sympathetic blockade. No incidences of paraparesis or paraplegia, or episodes of persistent post-operative paraesthesia or weakness, Bagai (vasovagal) syncope, PONV, post-op meningism, post-dural puncture headache, spinal hematoma, intraoperative dural Cerebrospinal Fluid leak or post-op fistula, were noted. There were two incidences of failed spinal which were easily managed with a lower dose repeat SA. Overall better post-op analgesia and higher patient and surgeon satisfaction compared to GA was observed. Conclusion: SA is effective for use in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgeries and very efficient alternative technique to GA. SA offers efficient OR functioning with decreasing overall operation theatre time and shown to be the more convenient anesthetic choice in the perioperative setting.