Types of Regional/Conduction Anesthesia Flashcards
T/F: Post op mortality and morbidity is increased with neuraxial blockade?
False
Into what space is LA injected for spinal anesthesia?
Into the subarachnoid/intrathecal space.
What are three indications for spinal?
- Surgery of lower abdomen.
- Surgery of lower extremities.
- Surgery on perineum.
What must be done prior to considering spinal anesthesia?
Preoperative assessment:
- Note baseline neuro deficits.
- Bacteremia/abcess/infection.
- Check for anticoagulant use.
- Cardiac disease (specifically AS).
What is the only true absolute contraindications to spinal?
Patient refusal.
What are “relative” contraindications to spinal?
- Lack of cooperation (ex: MRDD).
- Increased ICP.
- Significant coagulopathies.
- Skin infection at site.
- Hypovolemia.
- Fixed cardiac state
- Difficult airway.
- Existing neuropathy.
How long should plavix be discontinued prior to spinal anesthesia?
7 days prior
T/F: Aspirin must be stopped 7 days prior to spinal anesthesia?
False: no contraindication
What are a couple examples of herbal supplements that are potential contraindications for spinal anesthesia?
Ginko.
Ginseng.
Fish oil.
How long should spinal anesthesia typically last?
1-4hours.
If spinal anesthesia is lasting longer than expected, what could potentially be a risk?
Spinal or epidural hematoma.
What are signs of spinal or epidural hematoma?
Prolonged spinal effect.
New onset weakness.
New onset back pain.
New onset bowel/bladder dysfunction.
Spinal or epidural hematomas must be surgically decompressed within how many hours?
8 hours
What are risks of permanent neurologic injury with spinal anesthesia?
Epidural anesthesia?
Spinal 1-4.2:10,000
Epidural 0-7.6:10,000
The anatomy of the vertebral column is broken down into categories, what are they?
7 Cervical vertebra. 12 Thoracic 5 Lumbar. 5 Sacral. 4 Coccygeal.
What are the three intralaminar ligaments in order?
- Surpaspinous ligament
- Interspinous ligament.
- Ligamentum flavum.
Which intralaminar ligament connects the apices of spinous processes?
Supraspinous ligaments
Which intralaminar ligament connects the caudal edge of the vertebra above to the cephalad edge of the lamina below?
Ligamentum flavum.
While advancing a spinal needle, which intralaminar ligament would your needle first pass through?
Supraspinous ligament.
(Skin, subcutaneous, supraspinous, interspinous, ligamentum flavum).
The spinal cord ends at what position in a new born (under 2 years)? In an adult?
Under 2 yrs: L3.
Adult: L1.
Where are spinal needles placed to ensure spinal cord is not damaged?
Below L2
What are the 3 meninges covering the spinal cord?
- Dura mater.
- Arachnoid.
- Pia mater
What meninge is closest to the spinal cord?
Pia Mater
What meninge is in between the pia mater and the dura mater?
Arachnoid
What is the anatomically proper word that spinal needles are placed into below the spinal cord?
Cauda equina.
What is the conus medullaris?
The spinal cord begins to taper into a cone shape between T12 and L1.
Where is the CSF located?
Subarachnoid space
What is the volume of total CSF? CSF in spinal canal?
Total=140ml
Spinal canal 30-80ml