Spinal Anaesthetic

What is spinal anaesthetic?

A spinal anaesthetic is performed by an anaesthetist. Spinal anaesthetic is injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid sac that covers your spinal cord. It is sometimes called a spinal block.

A very fine needle is inserted into your back and guided into the fluid sac surrounding your spinal cord. A local anaesthetic is then injected to numb the nerves that supply your stomach, hips, bottom and legs. It completely numbs your body below and sometimes above the site of the injection. You will not feel any pain from an operation. You will also not be able to move your legs.

Spinal anaesthetic may be used for many surgeries including urology (prostate, bladder or genital operations); orthopaedic (operations on your bones in the hips, legs and feet); gynaecology (womb, vagina or ovary operations); vascular (leg blood vessel operations); general (groin hernia and pile operations; and obstetrics for caesarean section.

Sometimes a spinal anaesthetic is given before a general anaesthetic to provide additional pain relief after surgery.

A spinal anaesthetic may be used instead of general anaesthetic as it presents:

  • less sickness and vomiting
  • earlier return to drinking and eating
  • lower risk of a chest infection
  • less effect on your lungs and breathing
  • good pain relief immediately after surgery
  • reduced need for strong pain-relieving drugs
  • less confusion or groggy feeling after surgery

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