Subarachnoid Blocks Flashcards
What is the goal of needles?
to cause as little damage as possible
What are the types of needles for subarachnoid block needles?
Cutting and non-cutting needles
What are the types cutting needles for subarachnoid block needles?
- Quincke-Babcock
- Pitkin
- Greene*
What are the types noncutting needles pencil point) for subarachnoid block needles?
- Sprotte
- Pencan
- Whitacre
What is the gauge range for subarachnoid block needles?
22-29 (most commonly used 25-27g)
What is the length range for subarachnoid block needles?
from 3.5-5 inches (most commonly used 3.5 inches)
What are the two disadvantages to cutting needles?
- Can pierce cauda equine roots without provider knowledge
- Increases risk of tip deviation after insertion
How must you hold a cutting needle?
Must remember to hold bevel lateral to dural tissue fibers to minimize risk of post-dural puncture headache, although rates of PDPH much higher with cutting needles overall
What are the characteristics of subarachnoid cutting needles?
- Less able to appreciate entry into dura
- May introduce skin contaminants into subdermal tissue
What are the two positioning strategies for subarachnoid blocks?
Lateral decubitus and sitting position
What are the two approaches for a subarachnoid block?
midline & the paramedian approach
What are the layers of anatomy that must be transversed posterior to anterior when placing a midline subarachnoid block?
Skin Subcutaneous fat Supraspinous ligament Interspinous ligament Ligamentum flavum Dura mater Subdural space Arachnoid mater Subarachnoid space
What are the layers of anatomy that must be transversed posterior to anterior when placing a paramedian approach subarachnoid block?
Skin Subcutaneous fat Paraspinous muscle Ligamentum flavum Dura mater Subdural space Arachnoid mater Subarachnoid space
What is the paramedian approach subarachnoid block?
the needle tip is directed toward the spinal canal 1 cm lateral to the caudal aspect of the interspace
What determines the distribution of medications administered in the subarachnoid block?
distribution is determined by the chemical and physical characteristics of the solution in relation to the chemical and physical characteristics of the patient’s CSF and subarachnoid space
What is another term for subarachnoid block?
Intrathecal
What is the normal daily production and pressure of CSF?
- 500ml of CSF produced daily by the choroid plexuses in adults
- Normal CSF pressure is 10-20 cmH20
What is the specific gravity of CSF?
1.004-1.009
What is the CSF specific gravity dependent on?
Varies based on temperature (increase temp = decrease specific gravity) and location of fluid
What is the decease in specific gravity from a degree rise in temp by Celsius
Decreases ~0.001
What happens to the specific gravity with increases in age?
Increases as age increases
What effect does hyperglycemia and uremia have on specific gravity of CSF?
Hyperglycemia and uremia increase specific gravity
What effect does Jaundice and liver issues have on specific gravity of CSF?
decrease specific gravity
What is true about the local anesthetics solutions administered by the intrathecal or epidural route?
must be sterile and preservative free
What is baricity?
The resting position of two fluids with differing specific gravities when the fluids are mixed in a single container (e.g. CSF and LA in subarachnoid space)
What is the baricity compared to?
Baricity of the injected solution is compared with that of the CSF
What are the characteristics of isobaric?
- The ratio of the specific gravity of a local anesthetic to the patients CSF equals 1
- E.g. Dissolve drugs in normal saline
What are the characteristics of hyperbaric?
- The solution falls or sinks
- Baricity >1.0015
- E.g. Dissolve drug in 5-8% dextrose
Define hyperbaric.
Local anesthetic has a greater specific gravity than CSF
Define hypobaric.
Local anesthetic has a lower specific gravity than CSF
What are the characteristics of hypobaric?
- The solution floats
- Baricity <0.999
- E.g. Dissolve drug in sterile water
What are the primary factors that affect local anesthetic spread in the CSF?
- Total dose of local anesthetic
- Site of injection
- Baricity of the drug (drug choice)
- Position or posture of the patient (especially when nonisobaric solutions are used
What is duration?
primarily a factor of choice of local anesthetic and total dose
What is true about the duraction of highly protein bound medications?
(tetracaine, bupivacaine, ropivicaine) have longer durations of action