Mod3: Spinal Anesthesia Part 1 Flashcards
Which anesthesia technique involves an injection of a medication into the subarachnoid space which mixes with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), creating anesthesia in a portion of the body?
Spinal Anesthesia

SPINAL ANESTHESIA
Spinal anesthesia is also known as:
Neuraxial anesthesia
Subarachnoid block (SAB)
Intrathecal injection
SPINAL ANESTHESIA
How can surgical anesthesia from spinal anesthesia be characterized?
Rapid, Dense, Predictable
SPINAL ANESTHESIA
Which regions of the body can be anesthetized w/ spinal anesthesia?
From the upper abdomen to feet
SPINAL ANESTHESIA
A catheter can be inserted into the subarachnoid space to extend the duration of the block. This is known as
Continuous spinal
This is usually not done

SPINAL ANESTHESIA
T/F: SAB is riskier then GA for the “average patient”
False
SAB is no more or less riskier then GA for the “average patient”
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
T/F: There are No absolute indications for a spinal
True
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
Spinal anesthesia is usually indicated for operations usually below which body structure?
The umbilicus
Nipple line dermatome level is T4
Umbilicus dermatome level is T10

SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
Operations below the umbilicus for which spinal anesthesia is indicated include:
Cesarean section
Hernias
TURP (transurethral resection of prostate)
Hip replacements
Lower extremity surgery
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
Beside being indicated for operations below the umbilicus, spinal anesthesia may be advantageous for which patient populations?
COPD or other respiratory diseases
Cardiac disease (±)
Potential difficult airway (controversial)
Parturients
(d/t inc. risk of difficult airway; allows mom baby interactions)
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
Why is using spinal anesthesia for potential difficult airway controversial?
?!!!
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - INDICATIONS
Why is using spinal anesthesia for Parturients advantageous?
Parturients have an inc. risk of difficult airway
spinal anesthesia allows mom baby interactions
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - ADVANTAGES
What are advantages of spinal anesthesia?
Increase Patient satisfaction
Rapid recovery - Absence of side effects
Don’t have to manipulate the airway
Avoid risks of GA in high-risk surgical pts. (COPD, CAD?)
Dec. incidence of DVT, blood loss, and PE’s (in hip replacement)
Decreased stress response (SNS blockade)
Decreased PONV
Decrease exposure to meds
Monitoring mental status
(Easier to catch changes in mental status in procedures like TURP that are a/w hyponatremia)
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
May take longer than induction, why?
Potentially difficult technique
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
Hypotension due to?
Sympathectomy from LA
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
Patient usually awake; why is that a disadvantage?
It may not be suited for the patient to be “awake”
Surgeon uncomfortable with “awake” patient
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
Unknown or extended surgical duration, why?
?…
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
Unexpected surgical delay, why?
Takes time to achieve a good “block”
Is the block successfull?
Is the block holding on, and for how long?
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
Urinary retention, why?
Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is common after anesthesia and surgery.
Spinal anesthetics bupivacaine and tetracaine delay the return of bladder function beyond the resolution of sensory anesthesia, and may lead to distention of thebladder beyond its normal functioning capacity.
SPINAL ANESTHESIA - DISADVANTAGES
In which clinical situations is spinal anesthesia not recommended? why not?
Emergency / trauma situations
Will delay surgical procedure
Spinal Anesthesia: Contraindications
According to the New York Society of Regional Anesthesia, what are absolute contraindications to spinal anesthesia?
Patient refusal / uncooperative patient
Uncorrected coagulopathies or thrombocytopenia
Infection at site of injection
Hypovolemia
Increased ICP
Indeterminate neurologic disease
Spinal Anesthesia: Contraindications
According to the New York Society of Regional Anesthesia, what are relative contraindications to spinal anesthesia?
Septicemia
Shock
Lumbar spine surgery, injury or disease
Unknown duration of surgery
Spinal Anesthesia: Anatomy Review
What is the initial landmark that must be palpated before initiation of spinal anesthesia?
The spinous process

Spinal Anesthesia: Anatomy Review
How do you know you have access the Epidural space?
After the ligamentum of flavum and before the dura and arachnoide, you will feel the characteristic “poop” that will take you into the Epidural space

Spinal Anesthesia: Anatomy Review
What’s the midline spinal neddle path from skin to Subarachnoid space (CSF)?
Skin
SQ fat
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Epidural space
Dura mater
Subdural space (potential space)
Arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space (CSF)

Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
T/F: Before spinal anesthesia, you must ensure that all other anesthetic options have been discussed with pt
True
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Complications - inform pt. of:
Potential risks and complications
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Educate pt. on procedure - Explain which aspects of the procedure?
Positioning
Sensations
Side Effects
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Educate pt. on procedure - Explain that spinal anesthesia blocks painful sensations, but may not block which sensations?
Pressure & Movement
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Educate pt. on procedure - Explain to patient that they may experience Odd sensation when legs / lower abdomen become numb
True
Why is that?
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Answer all pt’s questions and clear up misconceptions
True
Common sense
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
T/F
Ensure pt. is comfortable and willing to cooperate with anesthetic technique chosen
True
<em>Common sense</em>
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
T/F
Ensure Informed Consent is signed
True
Standard of Practice
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Ensure pt has at least how many well functioning IVs?
one
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Which type of fluid solution should you pre-load the pt w/? How much?
Isotonic crystalloid solution
15 ml/kg
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Pre-load w/ isotonic crystalloid solution - How much for high block?
1000 ml
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Pre-load w/ isotonic crystalloid solution - How much for C-sections?
1500 ml
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Pre-load w/ isotonic crystalloid solution - Be careful if CHF risk, why?
Too much fluid will exacerbate CHF
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Pre-load w/ isotonic crystalloid solution - Does not prevent hypotension, why not?
?…
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Place monitors; at a minimum which monitors do you need?
Pulse-ox
ECG
NIBP
O2 (if indicated)
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Which Pre-medication or alternative could be used for pre-op anxiety?
Verbal encouragement
Pharmacy
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
Why should pharmacologic agents to relieve anxiety be used with caution in spinal anesthesia?
To maintain patient cooperation
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient preparation
T/F: No sedation in L&D w/ spinal anesthesia
True
Mother’s cooperation needed
Spinal Anesthesia: Patient Positioning
What is the favorable position for spinal anesthesia? why?
Sitting
Make then arch before they “lean forward”
Back arched (“like a mad cat”) for maximum flexion of lumbar spine

Spinal Anesthesia: Sitting Positioning
T/F:
Back arched (“like a mad cat”) for maximum flexion of lumbar spine, NOT LEANING FORWARD
True
Spinal Anesthesia: Sitting Positioning
Where would you make them sit?
Usually on side of OR table

Spinal Anesthesia: Sitting Positioning
Where are the legs and feet placed?
Legs dangling with feet on stool or chair
Spinal Anesthesia: Sitting Positioning
Where are the Forearms placed?
Crossed laying over pillow or on Mayo stand

Spinal Anesthesia: Lateral Decubitus
In the Lateral Decubitus position, how are Hips and knees placed? why?
Hips and knees maximally flexed
This Fetal position is used to open vertebral interspace

Spinal Anesthesia: Lateral Decubitus
In this position how are the Shoulders and knees placed in reference to the bed?
Shoulders and knees perpendicular to bed

Spinal Anesthesia: Lateral Decubitus
Which is more challenging between sitting vs Lateral Decubitus positions?
Lateral Decubitus position is more challenging
Spinal Anesthesia: Lateral Decubitus
Since the Lateral Decubitus position is more challenging than the sitting position, why is it used if at all?
It is used when patient can not get into the sitting position
Spinal Anesthesia: Prone Jack Knife position
Why would the Prone Jack Knife position be used?

Only if position to be used for surgery

Spinal Anesthesia: Prone Jack Knife position
For which type of block, utilizing a LA with which baricity, and for which type of surgery would this position be used?

Sacral block with hypobaric LA for perineal surgery
Spinal Anesthesia: Prone Jack Knife position
T/F
Will see free flow of CSF from spinal needle with this position

False
Will not see free flow of CSF from spinal needle
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
The most important characteristics of spinal needles are:
Shape of the tip
Needle diameter

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Needle tip shapes that cut the dura include:
Pitkin
or
Quincke-Babcock needle
Short beveled-cutting edge (Quincke/Greene)

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Needle tip shapes with conical or pencil-point tip include:
Whitacre and Sprotte needles

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Which spinal needle requires more force for insertion?
Pencil point (Whitacre & Sprotte)

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Why is the Pencil point (Whitacre & Sprotte) easier to ID penetration of the Dura?

Allows for better tactile feel of various tissues encountered
Spreads dural fibers
Aperture distal to tip of needle

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
How do Short beveled-cutting edge (Quincke/Greene) needles enter dural fibers? Where is the needle aperture located?
Cuts dural fibers
Aperture at bevel of needle

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
The use of small needles reduces the incidence of
Post–dural puncture headache (PDPH)
from 40% with a 22-G needle to less than 2% with a 29-G needle
The use of larger needles, however, improves the tactile sense of needle placement, and so although 29-G needles result in a very low rate of post–dural puncture headache, the failure rate is increased
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Introducer needles (usually 18ga) are inserted into which ligament? what’s their function?
Inserted into interspinous ligament
An introducer needle can assist with guidance of smaller-gauge spinal needles in particular
Prevents bending or deflection of thinner spinal needle

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
What’s the advantage of using the fitted stylet?
To prevent bending and clogging of spinal needle with CSF
especially the smaller guage needles

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
If used, why must the fitted stylet be removed?
To assess for CSF flow or inject LA
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Which spinal needle is represented in the picture?

Whitacre
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Which spinal needle is represented in the picture?

Sprotte

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Which spinal needle is represented in the picture?

Quincke

Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
What is Orifice Diameter (OD) used for? What’s the relationship between OD and needle gauge?
OD is used to determine gauge
The smaller the OD/ the larger gauge
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
What’s the typical Spinal needle gauge?
22-29ga
Spinal Anesthesia: Needles
Needles of what gauge require introducer?
<22ga
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
Which LA provides the most profound sensory block?
Bupivacaine
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
How long will a Bupivacaine block last?
2-4 hours
Depending on dose
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
Which LA is short acting (1 hr), and is a/w controversial use at high concentrations, d/t transient rediculopathies?
Lidocaine
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
Which LA provides the most profound motor block in spinal anesthesia?
Tetracaine
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
Which LA is the Longest acting in spinal anesthesia?
Tetracaine
Longest acting (~ 4 hrs depending on dose)
Aslo provides the most profound motor block
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetics most commonly used
Which LA has the fastest onset, but also the shortest duration?
Chloroprocaine
Spinal Anesthesia: Common Spinal LA
Lidocaine
- Dose (mg):*
- Regression 2 Derm (min):*
- Resolution (min):*
- Prolongation (%):*
Lidocaine
- Dose (mg):* 25 -100
- Regression 2 Derm (min):* 40-100
Resolution (min): 140-240
Prolongation (%): 20-50
Spinal Anesthesia: Common Spinal LA
Marcaine (Bupivicaine) 0.75%
Dose (mg):
Regression 2 Derm (min):
Resolution (min):
Prolongation (%):
Marcaine (Bupivicaine) 0.75%
Dose (mg): 5-20 (15)
Regression 2 Derm (min): 90-140
Resolution (min): 240-380
Prolongation (%): 20-50
Spinal Anesthesia: Common Spinal LA
Tetracaine 0.5%
Dose (mg):
Regression 2 Derm (min):
Resolution (min):
Prolongation (%):
Tetracaine 0.5%
Dose (mg): 5-20
Regression 2 Derm (min): 90-140
Resolution (min): 240-380
Prolongation (%): 50-100
Spinal Anesthesia: Common Spinal LA
Chloroprocaine
Dose (mg):
Regression 2 Derm (min):
Resolution (min):
Prolongation (%):
Chloroprocaine
Dose (mg): 30-100
Regression 2 Derm (min): 30-50
Resolution (min): 70-150
Prolongation (%): NR
Spinal Anesthesia:
What are the Determinants of local anesthesia spread?
Baricity and patient position
Dose/volume/concentration
Site of injection
Patient characteristics
Determinants of local anesthesia spread
What are the two most important/predominant influencers of local anesthesia spread?
Baricity
Patient position
Determinants of local anesthesia spread
We know that Dose = Volume × Concentration. Which of those three is the most reliable determinant of local anesthetic spread (and thus block height)?
Dose
This is true for isobaric (smaller role) and hypobaric local anesthetic solutions
This is relatively unimportant with hyperbaric solutions
Also, Higher concentration = higher level block
Determinants of local anesthesia spread
The spread of Hyperbaric local anesthetic injections are primarily influenced by:
Baricity
Determinants of local anesthesia spread
Site of injection is a determinant of local anesthesia spread for LA with which baricity?
Isobaric LA
<em>not hyperbaric</em>
This also uncertain
Determinants of local anesthesia spread
How do Pregnancy and Obesity affect the spread of local anesthetic and block height?
In theory, the increased abdominal mass in obese and pregnant patients, and possible increased epidural fat, may decrease the CSF volume and therefore increase the spread of local anesthetic and block height.
This has indeed been demonstrated using hypobaric solutions which are characterized by more variable spread anyway, but not hyperbaric solutions
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
The ratio of the density of a local anesthetic solution to the density of CSF is also known as?
Baricity
Defined as the mass per unit volume of solution (g/mL) at a specific temperature
Baricity of a local anesthetic solution is conventionally defined at 37° C
The density of CSF is 1.00059 g/L (Miller)
The density of CSF is 1.0003 + 0.0003 g/ml (PPT)
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Local anesthetic solutions that have a higher density than CSF are termed
Hyperbaric
Ratio of the density >1
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
T/F
The spread of hyperbaric solutions is more predictable, with less interpatient variability
True
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Which substances are commonly added to render local anesthetic solutions either hyperbaric or hypobaric?
Dextrose (5%-8%) or sterile water, respectively
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Why do Hyperbaric solutions will preferentially spread to the dependent regions of the spinal canal
Gravity
It causes solutions to flow downward in CSF to most dependent region in spinal column
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Local anesthetic solutions that have the same density as CSF are termed
Isobaric solutions
LA solutions with density = CSF
Baricity = (1.0)
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
LA without additives
Isobaric solutions
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
To obtain an isobaric solution, Lyophilized (powdered) LA* must be reconstituted with:
NS
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
T/F:
Isobaric solutions tend not to be influenced by gravitational forces
True
Gravity has little to no effect on distribution
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
T/F:
Isobaric solutions tend to create a “belt” of anesthesia
True
What does “belt” of anesthesia mean?
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
What does “belt” of anesthesia mean?
…
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Local anesthetic solutions that have a lower density than CSF are termed:
Hypobaric solutions
LA solutions with density < CSF
Baricity = (<0.9990)
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
To obtain an hypobaric solution, Lyophilized (powdered) LA* must be reconstituted with:
Sterile water
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Due to gravitational forces, how do Hypobaric solutions move in CSF?
Rise in CSF
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
What’s the only commonly used lyophilized LA?
Tetracaine
Tetracaine is an ester local anesthetic
It is packaged either as niphanoid crystals (20 mg) or as an isobaric 1% solution (2 mL, 20 mg). When niphanoid crystals are used, a 1% solution is obtained by adding 2 mL of preservative-free sterile water to the crystals. Mixing 1% solution with 10% dextrose produces a 0.5% hyperbaric preparation that may be used for perineal and abdominal surgery in doses of 5 and 15 mg, respectively
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
What’s a lyophilized LA?
LA supplied as a lyophilized powder that can be reconstituted with dextrose, NS, or sterile water prior to injection
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Supine position and influence of normal spinal curvature
A thoughtful understanding of the natural curvatures of the vertebral column can help predict local anesthetic spread in patients placed in the horizontal supine position immediately after intrathecal administration

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Supine position and influence of normal spinal curvature. What’s the injection site of LA (Hyperbaric solutions) in the supine position
Lumbar lordosis

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
Supine position and influence of normal spinal curvature. How do Hyperbaric solutions flow when injected in the supine position?
Both cephalad and caudad

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Unilateral procedures in supine position using Hyperbaric solutions, how is the operative site positionned during injection?
Dependent
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Unilateral procedures in supine position using Hyperbaric solutions, operative site dependent during injection. What could this cause?
Pain
(broken hip)
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Unilateral procedures in supine position using Hyperbaric solutions, how long are pts left in lateral position?
Pt left in lateral position for 3-5 mins

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For perineal procedures using Hyperbaric solutions, how long is pt left in sitting position for “Saddle Block”?
Pt left in sitting position 5 – 10 min
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
What’s a “Saddle Block”?
Low spinal anesthesia technique that provides segmental block for those parts of the perineum, buttocks and inner thighs that would touch a saddle at the time of riding a horse

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Mid-high abdominal procedures using Hyperbaric solutions, how is the pt positionned?
Pt positioned supine with slight trendelenburg
Be careful – not the best option!!!??
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Mid-high abdominal procedures using Hyperbaric solutions, Pt positioned supine with slight trendelenburg. Why is this not the best option?
???
Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Perineal procedures using Hypobaric solutions, how is the pt positionned?
Jackknife-prone position
Again, not the best option!!!

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
For Perineal procedures using Hypobaric solutions, pt positionned in Jackknife-prone position. Why is this not the best option?

???

Effect of Baricity and position on LA spread
T/F:
Isobaric solutions are Not influenced by patient position or gravity
True
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Onset of most LA:
Within a few seconds
Regardless of local anesthetic used
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Time to reach peak block - Lidocaine
10 min
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Time to reach peak block - bupivacaine/tetracaine
20 min
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
What’s the Principal determinant of duration of action (DOA) of a LA?
The Drug itself
The DOA is drug-specific
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
LA ranked from shortest duration to longest duration:
Chloroprocaine < Lido < Bupivacaine < Tetracaine
CLBT
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
How does increasing dose of LA affect level and duration of the block?
Increasing dose => increased level => increased duration
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
T/F:
Higher the block the longer it will last
True
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Higher block regresses faster than lower block, why?
Because Block is “less dense” d/t dilution in the CSF
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
T/F:
Cephalad spread results in lower drug concentration in CSF
True
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
How does Addition of adrenergic agonists affect duration of block?
Prolongs duration of block
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
How does Addition of adrenergic agonists prolong duration of block?
Result of vasoconstriction of spinal cord vessels
Leading to decreased vascular uptake of LA
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
How does Addition of adrenergic agonists causes analgesia?
Stimulates alpha2 receptors in spinal cord
This inhibits antinociceptive afferents
→ analgesia
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Addition of adrenergic agonists has the greatest effects with which LA?
Tetracaine
Duration increased by 40-100%
Be aware of extended recovery time
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Compared with Tetracaine, how does addition of adrenergic agonists affect Bupivacaine?
Effects are somewhat less
Duration increased by 20-50%
vs. 40-100% with Tetracaine
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
How are effects of adding adrenergic agonists to Lidocaine?
Controversial
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Which dose of Epinephrine is added to LA for spinal anesthesia?
0.2-0.3mg of Epi
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Which dose of Phenylephrine is added to LA for spinal anesthesia
2-5mg of Phenylephrine
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Which dose of Clonidine is added to LA for spinal anesthesia?
75-150mg of Clonidine
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
What’s a benefit of adding Clonidine to LA for spinal anesthesia?
Increased analgesic properties
Factors influencing onset and duration of block
Adding Clonidine to LA for spinal anesthesia must be avoided in CAD and HTN, why?
….
Intrathecal opioids
T/F:
Intrathecal opioids may be administered with or without LA
True
Intrathecal opioids
What are major benefits of Intrathecal opioids?
Provides intense analgesia
Motor or sympathetic function unaffected
Better block, better analgesia!!!
Intrathecal opioids
What are side effects of Intrathecal opioids?
Resp. depression
N/V
Pruritus
Urinary retention
Intrathecal opioids
What are the most common opioids added to spinal anesthesia?
Fentanyl
Duramorph
Sufentanil
Intrathecal opioids
What are dose, onset, and DOA of Fentanyl when added to spinal anesthesia?
Dose: 10-25 mcg of Fentanyl
Onset: Rapid
DOA: 2-8 hrs

Intrathecal opioids
What are dose, onset, and DOA of Duramorph (PF Morphine) when added to spinal anesthesia?
Dose: 0.1-0.25 mg of Duramorph (PF Morphine)
Onset: slower
DOA: 6-24 hrs

Intrathecal opioids
T/F
All drugs given Intrathecal must be Preservative Free (PF)
True
Duramorph if Preservative Free (PF) Morphine
Intrathecal opioids
What are disadvantages of Duramorph (PF Morphine) when added to spinal anesthesia?
Delayed respiratory depression
May require overnight stay
Intrathecal opioids
What are dose, onset, and DOA of Sufentanil when added to spinal anesthesia?
Dose: 10 mcg of Sufentanil
Onset: Rapid
DOA: 2-8 hrs
Intrathecal opioids
What’s a major side effect a/w Sufentanil when added to spinal anesthesia?
Itching