CASE REPORT - -Combined General and Spinal Anesthesia for Lumbar decompression in an Opioid-intolerant Patient: Intra-operative Administration of Intrathecal Bupivacaine via the Surgical Incision

Abstract

We illustrate repeat dosing of spinal anesthesia as a means to avoid opioids during lumbar surgery for a patient intolerant of opioids.

A patient required redo lumbar surgery but had a marked history of nausea, vomiting and retching in response to opioids. A propofol-based anesthetic was supplemented with intravenous ketamine and intrathecal bupivacaine. The first dose of bupivacaine receded during the lengthy surgical procedure but was supplemented by means of a 25-gauge pencil-point needle passed through the exposed dura. Postoperatively, there was no spinal fluid leak, no headache, and no nausea.

Supplementation of intrathecal anesthesia under direct dural vision during lengthy lumbar surgery is facile, can help to obviate a need for opioids, and can aid in avoidance of postoperative nausea and vomiting.