AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightNo statistically significant difference was found between thegroups regarding total procedure time, pain scores, patient satisfaction scores, and spinal anesthesia-inducedcomplications (p>0.05).Conclusion: Our study findings showed that preprocedural neuroaxial USG improves technical performanceof spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with difficult anatomy
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Objective: This study was aimed to determine whether preprocedural ultrasonography (USG) affects thetechnical performance of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with difficulty in palpating landmarks, scoliosis,or previous spine surgery.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 156 elderly patients scheduled for electiveorthopedic lower extremity surgery. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive spinalanesthesia by the preprocedural USG examination (group U) or conventional landmark palpation technique(group P). The primary finding of our study was the rate of successful access to the subarachnoid space oninitial needle insertion attempt. Secondary achievements included number of needle insertion attempts,number of needle redirections, total procedure time, needle pain scores, patient satisfaction, and complications of spinal anesthesia.Results: The rate of successful access to the subarachnoid space at the first needle insertion attempt was significantly higher in group U than in group P (74.4% vs 53.8%, p=0.008). Medians (interquartile range) of bothneedle insertion attempts (group P, 2 [1-3] vs group U, 1 [1-2]; p=0.038) and needle redirections (group P,3 [2-5] vs group U, 2 [1-4]; p=0.028), requiring to achieve dural puncture, were significantly higher amongthe patients in group P than those in group U. No statistically significant difference was found between thegroups regarding total procedure time, pain scores, patient satisfaction scores, and spinal anesthesia-inducedcomplications (p>0.05).Conclusion: Our study findings showed that preprocedural neuroaxial USG improves technical performanceof spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with difficult anatomy