Preparation/Implementation

Anaesthesia methods close to the spinal cord include spinal anaesthesia on the one hand and epidural anaesthesia (PDA) on the other. With both, a targeted elimination of pain and sensitivity in certain parts of the body is achieved. A major difference between the two methods, however, is their duration of action.

While spinal anaesthesia involves the injection of single doses into the cerebrospinal fluid, epidural anaesthesia typically involves the insertion of a catheter in front of the spinal cord skin, through which painkillers or local anaesthetics can be administered continuously or at intervals. Spinal cord puncture is a frequently used measure in anesthesia to monitor pain during surgery. The advantage over general anesthesia is that the patient is awake and responsive and only feels no pain in the affected area.

Spinal anaesthesia is therefore gentler on the cardiovascular system and thus offers the possibility of treating people with serious secondary diseases. These secondary diseases can be, for example: a weakened heart or severe lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The procedure is easy to perform, a complete elimination of pain is achieved and the rapid onset of action is advantageous.

This procedure is most frequently used for surgical interventions in the lower abdomen area. This area includes gynaecological operations (e.g. uterus removal), urological operations such as kidney surgery ́s and also operations in the groin and lower extremity, i.e. for example in artificial hip and knee replacement, but also for inguinal hernias this is usually the procedure of choice.

In obstetrics, spinal anaesthesia is preferred to respiratory anaesthesia. Because the expectant mother is conscious, complications such as the danger of aspiration (swallowing) can be avoided. Another side effect is, of course, that a short contact between mother and newborn is made possible.

Spinal anaesthesia has the advantage over anaesthesia that substances that can trigger hyperthermia of the body do not have to be used. Other consequences such as the risk of thromboses, embolisms, allergies to hypnotics (drugs used during anesthesia) or immobility can be minimized. All in all, this has a positive effect on the condition of the patient, who is less burdened after the operation and can usually get back on his or her feet more quickly again simply by choosing the anaesthetic procedure.

Another advantage of spinal anesthesia is the good control of the field, which can anesthetize different areas depending on the height of the spine. As a result, it is also possible to anaesthetize individual extremities without including the abdominal area, for example. Conversely, only the lower abdomen can be anaesthetized, so that feeling and mobility in the legs is maintained. This effect is especially positive for the later mobilization of the operated person.