Spinal block

Spinal block

ICD-10	Z51.8
ICD-9	99.29
MeSH	D013127

A spinal block, also known as spinal anesthesia, is a form of regional anesthesia involving the injection of a local anesthetic into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord. This procedure results in a temporary loss of sensation and motor function, typically used during surgical procedures of the lower body.

Indications

Spinal blocks are commonly indicated for:

• Cesarean section
• Orthopedic surgery on the lower limbs
• Urological surgery
• Gynecological surgery

Procedure

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is positioned, usually in a sitting or lateral decubitus position.
2. The skin over the lumbar region is cleaned and sterilized.
3. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the skin and deeper tissues.
4. A spinal needle is inserted into the lumbar region of the spine, typically between the L3 and L4 vertebrae.
5. Once the needle is in the correct position, the anesthetic is injected into the subarachnoid space.

Advantages

• Rapid onset of anesthesia
• Reduced risk of systemic toxicity compared to general anesthesia
• Allows the patient to remain conscious during the procedure
• Provides excellent muscle relaxation

Complications

Potential complications of spinal block include:

• Hypotension
• Post-dural puncture headache
• Nerve damage (rare)
• Infection

Contraindications

Contraindications for spinal block include:

• Patient refusal
• Coagulopathy
• Infection at the injection site
• Severe hypovolemia

See also

• Epidural anesthesia
• General anesthesia
• Local anesthesia

External links

• Spinal block on WikiMD