Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia For Lumbar Spine Decompressive Surgery In An Elderly Patient

Author Department

Anesthesiology

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

1-2014

Abstract

We present a case of an elderly patient with a significant medical history, who underwent elective lumbar decompressive surgery, three months after sustaining a myocardial infarction. After a collobarative pre-surgical assesment by the neurosurgery and anesthesiology teams, epidural anesthesia was performed. A thoracic epidural catheter was inserted pre-operatively. The patient underwent successful L4-5 synovial cyst removal, and subsequent relief of pain. Epidural anesthesia is a viable alternative to general anesthesia for lumbar surgery, is safe and may offer several benefits, particularly in patients with multiple cormorbidities.

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