Abstract

Dr. Syeda Murwa Jilani*, Dr. Ramsha Saqib and Dr. Rizwan Haider

ABSTRACT

Although it has already been recognized that spinal anesthesia provides sufficient surgical anesthesia and analgesia in pediatric appendectomies, the method is rarely used. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the results of the method in children who underwent appendectomy under spinal anesthesia. In this study, the records of the patients, who underwent appendectomies under spinal regional block anesthesia between February 2017 and September 2017 due to a diagnosis of uncomplicated appendicitis, were reviewed retrospectively. The patient files, the patients' examination findings before the anesthesia, data on the insertion of the catheter for spinal anesthesia administration, the duration of time passed until achieving the block, the emergent need for an additional general anesthesia, duration of surgery, the need for additional medication, and the development of complications either during the surgical procedure or after the surgery were evaluated. A total of 50 patients were included in this study. Of these patients, 29 were males and 21 were females. The spinal anesthesia was successfully achieved at the first attempt in 47 patients and at the second attempt in 3 patients. The mean duration of time for the development of a complete block was calculated to take place at a mean of 8.3 ± 1.2 min. The mean duration of time for the operation to be accomplished was found to be 43.6 ± 4.8 min. Only 2 patients developed the complaints of hypotension, dizziness, and vomiting due to spinal anesthesia. Their symptoms regressed by medical treatment in 24 hours. In conclusion, the sensory and motor blocking features of the spinal regional anesthesia performed with hyperbaric bupivacaine for the appendectomy surgery were observed to be sufficient and the rate of side effects was low. It was concluded that spinal anesthesia performed in the appendicitis surgeries provided an effective, safe, and comfortable anesthesia.