Abstract | STUDY DESIGN: A case-controlled, comparative study of 400 patients undergoing lumbar surgery, treated with either spinal or general anesthesia. An independent observer analyzed outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate and type, of perioperative complications associated with each anesthetic method among lumbar surgery patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:
Spinal anesthesia is infrequently used for spinal procedures. While complications associated with spinal anesthesia are rare, some authors have suggested that spinal anesthesia may exacerbate existing neurologic disease and have recommended against its use in lumbar disc surgery. Others have found the technique safe and effective. General anesthesia may be preferred because it is seen as the routine accepted practice, because of greater patient acceptance and the ability to perform longer operations, or because of a general sense that general anesthesia is "safer" in these procedures. METHODS: Patients treated between 1994 and 1998 were matched for anesthetic class, preoperative diagnosis, surgical procedure, and perioperative protocols. All patients were treated according to a uniform protocol and recovered in the same perianesthetic environment. Data from the intraoperative period through hospital discharge were collected and compared. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Robert F McLain, Gordon R Bell, Iain Kalfas, John E Tetzlaff, Helen J Yoon |
Journal | Spine
(Spine (Phila Pa 1976))
Vol. 29
Issue 22
Pg. 2542-7
(Nov 15 2004)
ISSN: 1528-1159 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 15543071
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Anesthesia, General
(adverse effects)
- Anesthesia, Spinal
(adverse effects)
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Intraoperative Complications
(epidemiology)
- Laminectomy
(adverse effects)
- Lumbar Vertebrae
(surgery)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Perioperative Care
(adverse effects)
- Retrospective Studies
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