Spinal anesthesia using a continuous spinal catheter for cesarean section in a parturient with prior surgical correction of scoliosis

From Rib Hump to Baby Hump-Common Questions of Patients Suffering from and Undergoing Treatment for Scoliosis-A Comprehensive Literature Review

Background: Scoliosis, the most prevalent spinal deformity in children, is often associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Curves surpassing 50 degrees can deteriorate, especially thoracic curves, leading to pulmonary limitations. Surgical intervention is usually advised for curvatures exceeding 50 degrees to halt further progression. Severe AIS is notably more frequent in females, yet knowledge regarding subsequent pregnancies and associated risks is scarce. Female patients often inquire about conception, pregnancy, labor, and future back pain (BP) concerns. Reports on the long-term outcomes after pediatric AIS treatment and pregnancy consequences remain limited. Uncertainty looms over the likelihood of increased back pain (BP), cesarean sections (CSs), or other pregnancy-related issues following surgical AIS management. In this investigation, an attempt was made to scrutinize the existing research on individuals afflicted with scoliosis who received either conservative or surgical treatment, with the aim of delineating crucial and pragmatic findings that can serve as a compass for spine surgeons when counseling young patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis regarding the ailment, its repercussions, the available treatment modalities, and the associated outcomes. A comprehensive analysis pinpointed the optimal data at hand. Consequently, the primary objective of this investigation was to assess the patient-reported and clinical consequences in scoliosis patients who have undergone segmental posterior fusion and subsequently conceived. Conclusions: While the majority of individuals with AIS are capable of conceiving and bearing children, they may encounter greater challenges in fertility than healthy women unaffected by AIS. Pregnant women with a prior history of spinal fusion for AIS can undergo pregnancy and childbirth with no significant escalation in perinatal complications. Women who have undergone surgical procedures for AIS have been observed to exhibit a prevalence of back pain comparable with that of healthy pregnant women; however, a higher incidence of low back pain is evident when spinal fusion is extended to the L3 or L4 vertebra. Although back pain is a common occurrence in pregnant women with AIS, the spinal alterations induced by pregnancy are typically minor and transient. In comparison with healthy women, individuals with a history of spinal fusion necessitate cesarean sections more frequently. The degree of correction loss during pregnancy is lower in previous reports involving pedicle screw instrumentation than in previous reports involving Harrington or hybrid segmental instrumentation.

The impact of pregnancy on women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity encountered in adolescents and larger curves are more prevalent in girls. For females with scoliosis, women's health issues are of particular concern, especially pregnancy. The aim of this review was to summarise the best available evidence to determine the influence of pregnancy on scoliosis-related outcomes in women with scoliosis and whether scoliosis affects maternal-health outcomes, differentiating between patients who have been managed conservatively and/or surgically.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search was conducted using CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Database, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception to May 2023 to identify relevant articles in any language. The scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies were eligible if they included pregnant women (primiparous or multiparous) with a diagnosis of scoliosis of unknown aetiology. The results were summarized by outcomes, including pregnancy and scoliosis-related outcomes and type of management.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Our comprehensive search strategy identified 6872 articles, of which 50 articles were eligible for this review. Back pain appears to be more prevalent in this population during pregnancy and associated with the major curve and the decrease of lumbar lordosis. There have been reports of failed attempted spinal anaesthesia among patients with instrumented scoliosis correction and minor complications related to epidural anaesthesia at a higher rate compared to non-instrumented patients and healthy controls, however successful spinal analgesia can be achieved in patients with instrumented scoliosis correction. Overall, the caesarean section rate was similar in scoliosis patients compared to controls without scoliosis and to national averages. Curve progression occurs in some but not all patients during pregnancy, and this phenomenon occurs irrespective of the treatment received.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher-quality prospective longitudinal research is needed to understand the relationship between pregnancy and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Further, the patient's perspective, concerns and fears surrounding pregnancy with scoliosis are yet to be explored. Exploring the impact of pregnancy on women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis would have clinically relevant outcomes and could help provide pertinent answers to patients and healthcare workers and help guide future research.

Failed spinal anesthesia due to accidental dural puncture: a case report

BACKGROUND

We present a case of inadequate spinal anesthesia possibly due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage into the epidural space caused by accidental dural puncture (ADP).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 28-year-old woman with twin pregnancy underwent a cesarean section. She was scheduled to undergo combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA). Hyperbaric bupivacaine 9 mg with fentanyl 15 μg, with an additional bupivacaine 5 mg was administered from the L3/4 interspace for spinal anesthesia after repeated ADP at T12/L1; however, analgesia level was only up to T12. Insufficient analgesia level would be attributed to leakage of bupivacaine into the epidural space with the CSF via the injured dura. Planned surgery was performed under general anesthesia and completed uneventfully.

CONCLUSION

In spinal anesthesia performed after ADP in pregnant women, the anesthesia level may not increase as expected if there is a large amount of CSF leakage.

Continuous Spinal Anaesthesia for Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture in a Patient with Skeletal Dysplasia

The practice of continuous spinal anaesthesia is not common. Though underutilised, it offers significant advantage when compared to the single-shot technique nonetheless. Time and again, it has proven its worth in patients with advanced cardiac illness, spinal deformities, and obesity. We here successfully employed this neuraxial anaesthetic technique in a sixty-two-year-old male patient with skeletal dysplasia, who presented for surgical fixation of intertrochanteric fracture of the femur. With short stature, anticipated difficult airway, and poor pulmonary status complicating the anaesthetic plan, we opted for continuous spinal anaesthesia. The procedure was carried out uneventfully with 8 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine used in titration to anaesthetic needs. Patients with skeletal dysplasia present with wide array of clinical conditions that pose a formidable challenge to anaesthesiologists. Continuous spinal anaesthesia can be safely practiced in such patients as it provides a titratable form of neuraxial blockade with reduced dose of local anaesthesia. This, in turn, ensures a predictable block and, thus, hemodynamic stability.

First Report of Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery in a Parturient With Jeune Syndrome: A Case Report

Jeune syndrome, also known as asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, is a rare form of autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia. Respiratory distress due to thoracic and lung dysplasia is the primary complication associated with this disorder in neonates. Women with Jeune syndrome seldom conceive and give birth, as only a few survive until adulthood. Herein, we report the world's first case of a cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia in a pregnant woman with Jeune syndrome with a history of chest wall reconstruction and spinal fusion surgeries.

Pragmatic approach to neuraxial anesthesia in obstetric patients with disorders of the vertebral column, spinal cord and neuromuscular system

Neuraxial anesthesia provides optimal labor analgesia and cesarean delivery anesthesia. Obstetric patients with disorders of the vertebral column, spinal cord and neuromuscular system present unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. Potential concerns include mechanical interference, patient injury and the need for imaging. Unfortunately, the existing literature regarding neuraxial anesthesia in these patients is largely limited to case series and rare retrospective studies. The lack of practice guidance may lead to unwarranted fear of patient harm and subsequent avoidance of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery or neuraxial analgesia for labor, with additional risks of exposure to general anesthesia. In this narrative review, we use available evidence to recommend a framework when considering neuraxial anesthesia for an obstetrical patient with neuraxial pathology.

Ultrasound-guided continuous spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a parturient with scoliosis corrected with Harrington's rod surgery

With rapid improvement in healthcare in Saudi Arabia, increasing number of women with surgically corrected kyphoscoliosis are likely to present for cesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery requiring anesthesia or analgesia. Despite the surgical correction, these patients have poor cardiopulmonary reserves which increase the risks associated with general anesthesia. Whereas altered vertebral anatomy from previous surgery and the presence of metal work in spine make performing of regional anesthesia (RA) difficult and unpredictable, we report anesthetic management of such a patient who underwent CS using continuous spinal anesthesia technique. Challenges of placement of a spinal catheter in such a patient are discussed, and use of ultrasonography to circumnavigate these challenges is described. We propose that ultrasound can prove extremely valuable in performing of RA in patients with surgically corrected kyphoscoliosis. We could not find a similar case report from Saudi Arabia in the published literature.

Unexpected High Sensory Blockade during Continuous Spinal Anesthesiology (CSA) in an Elderly Patient

A 98-year-old woman presented for a hemiarthroplasty of the left hip. Because of her age and cardiac and pulmonary co-existing diseases we decided to provide adequate regional anesthesia by continuous spinal anesthesia. Fragmented doses of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% were administered through a system consisting of a spinal catheter connected to an antimicrobial filter. After an uneventful surgical procedure, prior to removal of the catheter, this system was flushed with 10 mL of normal saline in order to try to prevent post-dural-puncture headache. After arrival at the postanesthesia care unit and fifteen minutes after removal of the catheter the patient suffered an unexpected high thoracic sensory blockade and hypotension requiring treatment. The continuous spinal anesthesia technique can be used in selected cases to be able to administer local anesthetic agents in a slow and controlled manner to reach the desired effect. The risk of post-dural-puncture headache using this technique in elderly patients is very low and therefore precludes the need to try to prevent it. We have described a potentially dangerous complication of flushing a bupivacaine-filled system into the spinal canal of an elderly patient resulting in an undesirable high sensory blockade.

Neuraxial techniques in patients with pre-existing back impairment or prior spine interventions: a topical review with special reference to obstetrics

Many anaesthetists consider neurological disorders of all kinds as a contraindication for regional anaesthesia particularly for neuraxial techniques. This hesitation is partly rooted in fears of medicolegal problems but also in the heterogeneous literature. Therefore, the present topical review is an attempt to describe the feasibility and the risks of neuraxial techniques in patients with spinal injury, anatomical compromise, chronic back pain or previous spinal interventions, ranging from 'minor' types like epidural blood patches to major surgery such as Harrington fusions. Most reviews and case reports were describing experiences in obstetrics as these patients are more likely to insist on neuraxial blocks. In the acute phase of new neurologic injury, general anaesthesia may be the technique of choice to prevent further haemodynamic and respiratory deterioration. After the acute phase, current evidence is mostly reassuring with respect to the risks of neuraxial blocks as they may even be recommendable in some conditions. Ultrasound technology may be of additional help to increase the success rate. A careful pre-operative examination remains mandatory, while patients should be sufficiently informed about technical aspects and possible relapses or progression of their disease. When necessary, patients should have additional technical and clinical examinations as close as possible to surgery to establish the actual pre-operative status. Most patients may benefit more from spinal techniques rather than from less reliable epidural ones. High concentrations and volumes of local anaesthetics should be avoided at all times, especially in patients with nerve compression, large disc herniation or spinal stenosis.

[Continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetrics]

Despite the theoretical advantages of continuous anesthesia in obstetric patients (good-quality blockade at low doses, good hemodynamic stability, rapid onset of effect, and no risk of toxicity), little has been published on this technique and its use in pregnancy. Moreover, few descriptive studies or comparative trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of continuous spinal anesthesia, probably because of concerns about potential adverse effects-principally neurologic complications and postdural puncture headache. We review the literature on the use of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, indications, and adverse effects of this technique.

The use of ultrasound to facilitate spinal anesthesia in a patient with previous lumbar laminectomy and fusion: a case report

We describe a case of ultrasound (US)-facilitated spinal anesthesia in a patient with a prior lumbar laminectomy and spinal fusion who presented for total knee arthroplasty. Traditional, landmark-guided spinal anesthesia had previously failed. Although pre-procedural US identified a soft-tissue window at L3/4, a 25G pencilpoint needle encountered resistance. Reassured from US imaging that this was not bone, we used a 22G cutting tip needle successfully. We believe spinal anesthesia would not have been possible in this patient without US, adding to the evidence that US-facilitated neuraxial anesthesia is useful, particularly in technically difficult, if not 'impossible,' cases.

Feasibility of infusion pumps for continuous spinal administration of local anesthetics in post-operative pain therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

For completion of perioperative care and for general ethical considerations, any intraoperatively used catheter technique should be utilizable for post-operative pain therapy. Continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) is an established form of local anesthetic application. However, for its use in post-operative therapy, infusion pumps are required that are technically able to deliver low rates and are distinctive in design to avoid possible pump or medication swaps. Because of a lack of devices specifically designed for CSA, we investigated the potential deployability of infusion pumps for post-operative pain therapy via CSA microcatheters, which were originally designed and approved for different applications.

METHODS

The accuracy of infusion rates of three different pumps was measured in a liquor model environment. Furthermore, we investigated safety and user-friendliness by interviewing 30 anesthesiologists and 15 pain nurses.

RESULTS

Except for the first hour of infusion, all pumps provided comparable and adequate flow profiles. However, interviews revealed significant risk factors for all pumps in terms of swapping devices, lines or medications and misprogramming the units.

DISCUSSION

All pumps tested were technically able to deliver accurate flow rates; however, because the non-CSA-specific design involves the risk of medication overdosage and syringe swaps, none of the systems tested can be recommended for routine use in post-operative CSA, irrespective of the fact that it was an off-label application anyway. Therefore, to ensure patient safety, continuous spinal administration of local anesthetics via microcatheters is a questionable method of post-operative pain therapy as long as non-specific pumps are used.

Pregnancy after anterior spinal surgery: fertility, cesarean-section rate, and the use of neuraxial anesthesia

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Previous publications have reported results with respect to functional outcome and sexual function in young women after traumatic injuries to the pelvis. It is well known that anterior spinal surgery has the possibility of causing reproductive dysfunction in men. Little has been described concerning deleterious effects of anterior spinal surgery in women of childbearing age.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to determine the fertility, cesarean section rate, and the use of neuraxial anesthesia in a population of women of childbearing age who have undergone anterior spinal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This was a retrospective chart review combined with a telephone questionnaire of the patients who had undergone anterior spinal surgery by a single orthopedic surgeon.

METHODS

Demographic data were collected from hospital and office records. Patients were asked if they had tried to become pregnant, if their pregnancy had come to term, the use of spinal or epidural anesthesia for that labor and delivery, and the type of delivery.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine potential subjects were identified and 67 patients were contacted to determine their fertility status. Ninteen patients had tried to become pregnant after their anterior spinal surgery. All patients who reported that they tried to become pregnant were successful at having a child. Seven of the 19 women had children who were born by cesarean section (37%). Only two patients received an epidural as analgesia for their delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the cesarean-section rate appears high, it is consistent with the current obstetrical trends. Anesthesiologists appear less inclined to offer neuraxial anesthesia to a population which has undergone anterior spinal surgery.

Observational study of continuous spinal anesthesia with the catheter-over-needle technique for cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Few studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetrics, although placement of a catheter in the intrathecal space theoretically offers advantages in these patients.

METHODS

Ninety-two women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery using continuous spinal anesthesia with the catheter-over-needle technique (22- or 24-gauge Spinocath) were included in the study. The doses of local anesthetic used, hemodynamic variables, use of ephedrine and other drugs, and incidence of complications such as technical failure and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean (+/-SD) dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine used was 8.2+/-1.8 mg. The incidence of hypotension was 30% and the mean total dose of ephedrine was 4+/-7 mg. The continuous spinal anesthetic technique failed in 18 women (20%). The overall incidence of post-dural-puncture headache was 29%; 18% of patients with post-dural-puncture headache required a blood patch.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to previous reports, the incidence of block failure and PDPH in this study was unacceptably high and therefore the risks of the technique appear to outweigh the advantages of continuous spinal anesthesia in obstetric practice.

[Continuous subarachnoid analgesia and anesthesia for labor and cesarean section in a patient who had previously undergone surgery for ependymoma]

We report the case of a 38-year-old primipara who had undergone surgery 2 years earlier for an intradural ependymoma at L2-L3 and who was currently asymptomatic. A combined epidural-subarachnoid block was performed for analgesia during labor but this technique was only effective for the first 2 hours. When analgesia via epidural cannula was no longer adequate, it was decided to perform a continuous subarachnoid block. Later, the fetus's head was seen to be too large to fit through the pelvis; for cesarean section, the mother was administered fractionated doses of local anesthetic via the subarachnoid cannula until analgesia reached T4. The patient did not develop postdural puncture headache. Continuous subarachnoid anesthesia may be considered the technique of choice where the patient has a history of spinal surgery.