retrospective evaluation of outcomes in lumbar disc surgery with spinal anesthesia

Objective: We investigated feasibility, possible advantages and disadvantages of spinal anesthesia in lomber disc surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 100 patients operated for elective lomber spinal surgery under spinal anesthesia. Results: Spinal anesthesia was sufficient for lumbar disc surgery in 97 of 100 patients. Three patients received general anesthesia due to insufficient spinal block. Allergic reaction was observed in one patient receiving general anesthesia, and treated with intravenous steroid and antihistaminic drugs. We observed bradycardia and hypotension necessitating ephedrine administration in eight patients, post dural puncture headache in 10 patients (two patients were discharged at 4 and 7 days later therefore), who received spinal anesthesia. Following spinal anesthesia, patients required first analgesic at 10th hour. Patients receiving general anesthesia demanded first analgesic in the post operative care unit. Conclusion: We are of the opinion that spinal anesthesia may be safely used in lumbar disc surgeries, provided that patients are not positioned until sufficient anxiolytic and spinal block are established. J Clin Exp Invest 2014; 5 (1): 54-58