Spinal anesthesia as a method of blood preservation in lumbar spine surgery in children

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the effect of spinal anesthesia on the volume and rate of blood loss during vertebrologic operations on the lumbar spine. Materials and methods: The study included the results of blood loss assessment in 49 patients aged from 8 to 17 years old, who were operated with the consequences of a lumbar spine injury as planned surgery. A spinal blockade at the level of LIII-LIV with 0,5% isobaric solution of bupivacaine (0,2 mg/kg) as a component of combined anesthesia was used as a blood preserving technique. The control group consisted of patients operated on under general anesthesia without the use of spinal anesthesia. Results: Combined anesthesia with a spinal block showed a pronounced blood-saving effect compared to anesthesia without spinal anesthesia during surgical interventions on the posterior and anterior structures of the lumbar spine or only on the posterior structures. Spinal anesthesia can be recommended as an effective way to save blood in the lumbar spine surgery.