Spinal Anesthesia

Question 1

What is the primary benefit of a spinal for a joint replacement case?

Answer 1

It causes vasodilation and decreases the incidence of post operative lower extremity DVTs.

Question 2

Tell me about absolute spinal contraindications

Answer 2

1. Patient refusal
2. Coagulopathies and bleeding disorders
3. Infection at the site of injection
4. Sepsis or severe hypovolemia
5. Indeterminate neurological disease

Question 3

What are the relative contraindications to a spinal?

Answer 3

1. Preload dependent cardiac lesions
2. Spinal surgeries or deformities
3. Pre-existing neurological deficits (aka weakness/paresthesias)

Question 4

What are the indications for a spinal

Answer 4

1. Surgeries involving the mid abdomen and lower extremities

2. OB for c-section, cerclage, and post-partum tubal ligation