Mod3: Spinal Anesthesia Part 2 Flashcards
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of Block
The skin area innervated by a given spinal nerve and its corresponding cord segment is also know as:
Dermatome
Corresponds to a portion of the spinal cord that gives rise to all nerve rootlets of a single spinal nerve
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for Upper Abd/C-Section procedures?
T4 = nipple line
[Dermatomal block Level]
“Upper Abd/C-Section procedures”
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for GYN/Urological procedures?
T6: Xiphoid level
“GYN/Urological procedures”
XX
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for Hip Surgery?
T10 = Umbilicus
“Hip Surgery”
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for Upper Leg procedures?
L1 = Upper Anterior Thigh
“Upper Leg procedures”
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for Foot & Ankle procedures?
L2 = Mid Anterior Thigh
“Foot & Ankle procedures”
Required Block Levels
What’s the Dermatomal block Level for Perineal procedures?
L1-L2 or
S2 w/saddle block
“Perineal procedures”
Sacral nerves are larger and harder to block
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
How do we assess that our blocks are working?
Assess progress of block level q 2-3 minutes initially
Asseess until desired level is attained
Fast onset, usually
Takes ~10 min
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
Once block established, reassess block level every
30-45 minutes
Spinal Anesthesia - Physiology of local anesthetic neural blockade
Local anesthetics block conduction of:
Electrical impulses along nerves
Spinal Anesthesia - Physiology of local anesthetic neural blockade
Local anesthetics block conduction of Impulses along nerves. However, exact location of action is:
Unknown
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects - Differential Blockade
Different nerve fibers serving different functions display varying sensitivity to LA blockade. What’s the order of sensitivity? in other words, what the first thing to be blocked? what’s the last thing to be blocked?
ANS>Pain>Temperature>Touch>Motor
“A PTT M”
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects - Differential Blockade
The mechanism of action of differential blockade is:
Not clearly known!!!
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects - Differential Blockade
Which factors affect the mechanism of action of LA?
Nerve fiber diameter is one factor but not the only
Decrease in LA concentration in CSF as function of distance from injection site
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects
Differential Blockade manifests as a spatial separation in sensations blocked. How does Sympathetic block extend in reference to sensory block?
2 dermatomes higher than sensory block
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects
Differential Blockade manifests as a spatial separation in sensations blocked. Where is Sensory block localized in reference to Motor block?
2 dermatomes higher than Motor block
Spinal Anesthesia: Neurophysiological effects
Patients & surgeons can appreciate the differential blockade and can find it worrisome. This could be evidenced by which statement from a pt?
“Don’t let him start. I can still move my foot!!!”
The pt fail to recognize the difference between sensory and motor
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
Which three methods are used to assess differing blockade?
Autonomic nervous system response
Sensory response
Motor response
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
Autonomic nervous system blockade manifest as:
Skin flushing
Warm skin
Vasodilation
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
Which object/instruments could be used to assess Sensory nerves blockade?
Broken tongue blade
works well to determine sensory block level
Alcohol swab to detect temp response
Spinal Anesthesia: Assessment of block
Methods to assess differing blockade: How do you assess Motor nerves?
Ask patient to move lower extremities to assess motor block level
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle could cause:
Hypotension (40% ± incidence)
Hypotension is the most common side effect encountered
Bradycardia (10-15%)
2nd and 3rd degree heart block
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Hypotension caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle is the result of:
Arterial dilation (decreased SVR)
Venous dilation (decreased preload=decreased CO)
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Which block factor determines Extent of Hypotension caused by blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle?
Level of block
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Which factors may amplify Effect of Hypotension caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle?
Age > 50
Concurrent GA
Obesity
Hypovolemia
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Effect of Hypotension caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle may be worse in patients on which drugs?
ACE inhibitors
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Bradycardia caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle is the result of:
Blockade of sympathetic cardioaccelerator fibers originating from T1-T4
Bradycardia starts to be seen with T6 sensory level blocks
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
Bradycardia caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle is the result of Blockade of sympathetic cardioaccelerator fibers originating from T1-T4. Why is it noted with T6 sensory level blocks?
Sympathetic block level is 2 dermatomes higher than sensory level block
Spinal Anesthesia: Cardiovascular Physiology
How does Bradycardia caused by Blockade of SNS efferent fibers to vascular smooth muscle manifest?
Diminished venous return and associated decreased stretch of intracardiac stretch receptors
Severe bradycardia/asystole reported