Risks of spinal anesthesia | Spinal anesthesia for caesarean section

Risks of spinal anesthesia

As with any physical intervention, spinal anaesthesia involves possible risks such as infections at the injection site, bleeding and nerve injuries. Typical side effects are a drop in blood pressure, as the anesthetic dilates the vessels in the lower body, causing temporarily too much blood to fall into the legs. However, this is monitored by the anesthesiologist and, in the event of a drop in blood pressure, is quickly treated by injecting a drug.

Other side effects that can occur after spinal anaesthesia are nausea and vomiting. Back pain and headaches can also occur. The headaches are usually strongest when standing and disappear when lying down.

After the spinal anaesthesia has worn off, functional disorders of the urinary bladder may occur for a short time. However, as soon as the spinal anaesthesia has subsided completely, the bladder automatically returns to normal. The dreaded complication of spinal anesthesia is paraplegia due to injury to the spinal cord.

This is extremely rare these days, as the injection is made below the spinal cord in an area where only individual nerve fibers run. These nerve fibers have the ability to evade the needle. For this purpose, the tip of the special needles is rounded so that the risk of injury is minimal.

Side effects

Although spinal anesthesia means that the patient is conscious during the procedure, some side effects are still possible. First of all, there is the possibility of intolerance to the medication used. In addition, the drugs often have a dampening effect on the circulation and are also accompanied by nausea and dizziness.

These side effects can, however, be directly controlled and alleviated with additional medication. Serious complications can occur if the drugs enter blood vessels, as the concentration is too high for this and a central effect on the circulation is triggered. Headaches can occur after spinal anesthesia.

This happens because small amounts of cerebral fluid leak out during the puncture, creating a pull on the brain. These headaches usually subside quickly and are otherwise easily treated. A bruise can also form at the puncture site, which is sensitive to pressure for a few days. Many women need a urinary catheter for a short time after a caesarean section with spinal anesthesia, because the control of the bladder function does not directly function normally. In rare cases, a purulent abscess also forms at the injection site.