Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal Anesthesia - Related Videos
01:11
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
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2023
Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
03:14
Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
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2025
The protocol described here provides the basics of spine sonoanatomy and a quick, straightforward method for performing ultrasound-guided neuraxial anesthesia. Additionally, two handheld devices that enhance portability are presented, one of which uses pattern recognition software to aid in epidural space localization.
14:01
Anesthesia Induction and Maintenance
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2016
Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals ("The Guide") states that pain assessment and alleviation are integral components of the veterinary care of laboratory animals. The definition of anesthesia is the loss of feeling or sensation. It is a dynamic event involving changes in anesthetic depth with respect to an animal's metabolism, surgical stimulation, or variations in the...
01:36
Anesthesia and Monitoring in a Rabbit Model
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2026
All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Anesthesia is an essential component of rabbit surgical and experimental procedures because it prevents pain, reduces stress responses, and helps immobilize the animal during handling and manipulation when general anesthesia is...
01:31
Anesthesia and Monitoring in a Pig Model
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2026
All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Pigs are commonly used in biomedical and surgical research because of their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. During procedures, anesthesia prevents pain, reduces stress, limits movement, and supports animal...
FAQs
The local anesthetic acts within cerebrospinal fluid on spinal nerve fibers by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. Because these channels help transmit electrical signals, their blockade prevents sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve impulses from continuing through the affected region. This coordinated interruption produces temporary loss of sensation and movement in the lower body.
Spinal anesthesia affects several types of nerve transmission rather than sensation alone. Blocking sensory pathways limits pain perception, while motor pathway blockade reduces movement. Interference with autonomic transmission can contribute to effects such as low blood pressure or urinary retention. Recognizing these different responses helps clinicians anticipate the technique’s broader physiological effects.
Careful dosing helps clinicians achieve the intended regional effect while limiting unwanted responses. Monitoring is important because the technique can produce low blood pressure, urinary retention, or headache. Together, appropriate dose selection and observation allow clinicians to identify these effects and manage them while the anesthetic’s temporary action wears off.
Clinicians inject the local anesthetic into cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid space. Placement in this fluid allows the drug to act directly on spinal nerve fibers and interrupt transmission in the lower-body region. This targeted location supports its use for procedures involving the lower abdomen, pelvis, perineum, and lower limbs.
Clinicians may choose this regional technique for operations involving the lower abdomen, pelvis, perineum, or lower limbs, including cesarean delivery. Because it targets the operative region while the patient remains conscious, it can reduce the need for general anesthesia. The choice still depends on the procedure and the need for careful dosing and monitoring.
The intended outcome is temporary loss of sensation and movement in the lower body during the relevant procedure, with consciousness preserved. As the effect is managed and monitored, clinicians also consider low blood pressure, urinary retention, and headache. These possible responses are important when evaluating the technique’s overall benefits and clinical suitability.