A Study to Evaluate Efficacy And Safety of Continuous Spinal Anaesthesia for Elderly Patients

Objective : Continuous spinal anaesthesia (CSA) is a well versatile technique that has been used successfully for various surgical procedures. Despite its advantages it is an underutilized technique due to fear of post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH) and neurological damage associated with this. We used this technique in 25 elderly patients to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Methods : 25 elderly patients with co-morbidity were scheduled for surgery under CSA. Lumber puncture was done at level of L3-4 with 19 or 20 G epidural tuohy needle and epidural catheter was threaded 3-5 cm. in subarachnoid space. After confirming proper position of catheter bupivacaine 0.5% (heavy) 1ml was given. Bupivacaine in dose of 0.2ml was repeated to achieve adequate level of anaesthesia or when there was patient discomfort. Results : CSA technique was successful in all patients. None of our patients had PDPH or neurological side-effects. CSA provided excellent hemodynamic stability. Conclusions: CSA with standard epidural catheters is safe and successful technique for anaesthesia in elderly patients with co morbidities. It providesbetter hemodynamic stability during the peri-operative period.