Neuraxial Blockade in Patients with Preexisting Spinal Stenosis, Lumbar Disk Disease, or Prior Spine Surgery: Efficacy and Neurologic Complications

Patients with spinal canal pathology, including spinal stenosis and lumbar disk disease, are often not considered candidates for neuraxial blockade because of the risk of exacerbating preexisting neurologic deficits or developing new neurologic dysfunction. In contrast, a history of spine surgery is thought to increase the likelihood of difficult or unsuccessful block. In this retrospective study we investigated the risk of neurologic complications and block efficacy in patients with preexisting spinal canal pathology, with or without a history of spine surgery, after neuraxial anesthesia.
Article