Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2002 Apr;58(2):104-6.
doi: 10.1016/S0377-1237(02)80038-7. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

LATERAL APPROACH : A BETTER TECHNIQUE FOR SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN THE MODERN ERA

K C Khanduri  1
Affiliations

LATERAL APPROACH : A BETTER TECHNIQUE FOR SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN THE MODERN ERA

K C Khanduri. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Apr.

Abstract

The most commonly used technique in routine spinal anaesthesia practice is the midline approach, compared to the lateral or paramedian approach. With the better understanding of the technique and introduction of fine gauge spinal needles, this practice needs a rethinking. Lateral approach was used in 60 patients undergoing different surgical procedures below the umbilicus, using 24 or 25 gauge, Quincke spinal needle without an introducer. The result was gratifying. In 77% of the cases the subarachnoid space could be entered in the first attempt. There was no failure. No patient complained of postdural puncture headache or post operative backache. Only one patient reported paraesthesia during needle placement without any residual effect. Various other advantages of the technique are discussed. Thus with due practice, lateral approach is found to be superior in modern day spinal anaesthesia.

Keywords: Anaesthetic technique; Backache; Headache; Lateral approach; Spinal.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Mitra S, Sharma S. Approach to spinal anaesthesia in ankylosing spondylitis. J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol. 1998;14:406–408.
    1. Bluestone R. Arthritis and allied condition. In: Mc Carty DJ, editor. A textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia; 1979:610-32
    1. Sinclair JR, Mason RA. Ankylosing spondylitis — the case for awake intubation. Anaesthesia. 1984;39:3–11. - PubMed
    1. Raj P, Pai U. Techniques of nerve blocking. In: Raj PP, editor. Handbook of regional anaesthesia. Churchill Livingstone; New York: 1985. pp. 157–257.
    1. Mc Conachie I, Mc Geachie J. Regional anaesthesia techniques. In: Healy TEJ, Cohen PJ, editors. A practice of anaesthesia. 6th ed. Edward Arnold; London: 1995. pp. 308–334.

LinkOut - more resources