Combined spinal epidural anesthesia during colon surgery in a high-risk patient: case report

Abstracts

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural (BCRP) oferece vantagens sobre a anestesia peridural ou subaracnóidea com injeção única. O objetivo deste relato foi apresentar um caso onde a anestesia subaracnóidea segmentar pode ser técnica efetiva para intervenção cirúrgica gastrintestinal com respiração espontânea. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente estado físico ASA III, diabetes mellitus tipo II, com hipertensão arterial sistêmica e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, foi escalada para ressecção de tumor de cólon direito. O BCRP foi realizado no interespaço T5 - T6 e foram injetados 8 mg de bupivacaína a 0,5% isobárica acrescida de 50 µg de morfina no espaço subaracnóideo. O cateter peridural (20G) foi introduzido quatro centímetros em direção cefálica. Foi obtida sedação com doses fracionadas de 1 mg de midazolam (total de 6 mg). Bupivacaína a 0,5% foi administrada em bolus de 25 mg através do cateter duas horas após a anestesia subaracnóidea. Não houve necessidade de vasopressor nem atropina. CONCLUSÕES: Este caso proporciona evidências de que a raquianestesia segmentar pode ser uma técnica anestésica para operação gastrintestinal com respiração espontânea.

CIRURGIA, Abdominal; TÉCNICAS ANESTÉSICAS, Regional

CLINICAL REPORT

Combined spinal epidural anesthesia during colon surgery in a high-risk patient. Case report^*

Uso del bloqueo combinado raquiepidural durante cirugía de colon en paciente de alto riesgo. Relato de caso

Luiz Eduardo Imbelloni, TSA, M.D.^I; Marcos Fornasari, M.D.^II; José Carlos Fialho, M.D^III

^IAnestesiologista do Hospital São Bernardo e da Casa de Saúde Santa Maria

^IIDiretor Médico do Hospital Rio Laranjeiras

^IIIServiço de Cirurgia do Hospital Rio Laranjeiras

Correspondence to

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) has advantages over single injection epidural or subarachnoid blockades. The objective of this report was to present a case in which segmental subarachnoid block can be an effective technique for gastrointestinal surgery with spontaneous respiration.

CASE REPORT: Patient with physical status ASA III, with diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was scheduled for resection of a right colon tumor. Combined spinal epidural block was performed in the T₅-T₆ space and 8 mg of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine with 50 µg of morphine were injected in the subarachnoid space. The epidural catheter (20G) was introduced four centimeters in the cephalad direction. Sedation was achieved with fractionated doses of 1 mg of midazolam (total of 6 mg). A bolus of 25 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered through the catheter two hours after the subarachnoid block. Vasopressors and atropine were not used.

CONCLUSIONS: This case provides evidence that segmental spinal block can be the anesthetic technique used in gastrointestinal surgeries with spontaneous respiration.

Keywords: ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES, Regional: combined subarachnoid epidural anesthesia; SURGERY, Abdominal.

RESUMEN

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El bloqueo combinado raquiepidural (BCRE), tiene ventajas sobre la anestesia epidural o subaracnoidea con inyección única. El objetivo de este relato, fue presentar un caso donde la anestesia subaracnoidea segmentaria, puede ser una técnica efectiva para la intervención quirúrgica gastrointestinal con respiración espontánea.

RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente estado físico ASA III, diabetes mellitus tipo II, con hipertensión arterial sistémica y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, que fue indicada para la resección del tumor de colon derecho. El BCRE se realizó en el interespacio T₅ - T₆, y se inyectaron 8 mg de bupivacaína a 0,5% isobárica con 50 µg más de morfina en el espacio subaracnoideo. El catéter epidural (20G) fue introducido cuatro centímetros en dirección cefálica. La sedación se obtuvo con dosis fraccionadas de 1 mg de midazolam (total de 6 mg). La bupivacaína a 0,5% se administró en bolo de 25 mg a través del catéter dos horas después de la anestesia subaracnoidea. No hubo necesidad de aplicar vasopresor ni atropina.

CONCLUSIONES: Este caso nos demuestra que la raquianestesia segmentaria puede ser una técnica anestésica para la operación gastrointestinal con respiración espontánea.

INTRODUCTION

Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) has advantages over single injection epidural or subarachnoid blockades. Soresi was the first to report this technique¹. Segmental subarachnoid block in the lower thoracic region was performed in 1954 in 10 adult patients by the subarachnoid deposit of 0.5 mL of 5% procaine (25 mg) in the inter-vertebral space of the 12^th thoracic vertebra². The pattern of the sensorial segmental blockade and the concentration of procaine, especially around the posterior roots (sensorial) provided anesthesia without systemic repercussions. A preliminary study showed that segmental subarachnoid block can be an effective technique in videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy in high-risk patients³. General anesthesia with opioids and neuromuscular blockers, as well as mechanical ventilation, interferes with the respiratory system. The incidence of bronchial hyperactivity is elevated in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and regional blocks are frequently used to avoid the intubation stimulus. The objective of this report was to present a case in which segmental block with CSEB can be effective in gastrointestinal surgeries with spontaneous respiration.

CASE REPORT

This is a 71-year old female, 60 kg, 162 cm, ASA III, with diabetes type II, hypertension, and COPD admitted for resection of a right colon tumor; erythrocytes 4,780,000/mm³, hemoglobin 12.2 g.dL^-1, hematocrit 38.4%, platelets 160,000/mm³, prothrombin time 14.3 sec, PTT 74%, and INR 1.22. Ventricular premature complexes were seen on the ECG. The patient was being treated with 10 mg of losartan a day, 100 µg of levothyroxine sodium a day, 30 mg of dilfazem mg and 2 mg of clonazepam a day. She also had diet-controlled diabetes. An 18G catheter was used for venoclysis and 500 mL of Ringer's lactate, 50 mg of ranitidine, 40 mg of omeprazole, 10 mg of dexamethasone, 8 mg of ondansetron, and 10 mg of metochlopramide were administered. After sedation with 75 µg of fentanyl and 1 mg of midazolam, CSEA was performed in the T₄-T₅ space with a set of needle-through-needle (BBraun, Melsungen, AG) and after observing the return of CSF 8 mg of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine and 50 µg of morphine were administered, and a 20G catheter was inserted in the epidural space. After five minutes, sensorial blockade extended from T₃ to L₅ with a 2^nd degree motor blockade. Blood pressure decreased from 118 x 74 to 99 x 68 mmHg and the heart rate (HR) from 90 to 78 beats per minute without nausea or vomiting. The patient remained hemodynamically stable without the need of vasopressors or atropine.

During the procedure oxygen 3 L.min^-1 was administered via a Hudson mask. Reduction in oxygen saturation or any degree of respiratory difficulty was not observed. The collector of the capnograph was connected to the nose of the patient, showing the curve and P_ETCO₂ during the procedure. During the surgery 1,600 mL of NS, 500 mL of 6% hetastarch, and 400 mL of fresh frozen plasma were administered.

The surgery lasted three hours and 25 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine were administered through the epidural catheter two hours after the subarachnoid injection. Sedation was achieved with fractionated doses of midazolam (total of 6 mg). A nasogastric tube was not used. At the end of the surgery, 40 mg of tenoxicam and 3 g of dypirone were administered, and the epidural catheter was left in place for further administration of morphine. The patient was transferred to the ICU without motor blockade.

DISCUSSION

This case report demonstrates that CSEA with low doses of isobaric bupivacaine and mid-thoracic puncture can be used for segmental spinal block (T₃ and L₅) in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing surgical resection of a colon tumor without tracheal intubation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the distance between the dura mater and the spinal cord in the thoracic region in 16 patients demonstrated mean values of 4.22 mm at the level of T₂, 5.29 mm in T₅, and 4.08 mm in T₁₀⁴. Judicious use of subarachnoid injections in thoracic segments can be as much an option as epidural injections for the experienced anesthesiologist. Unlike other investigators³ who used pencil-point needle, cut-bevel needle was used in this case due to its terminal orifice. The orifice of the pencil-tip needle is located 0.8 mm before the tip of the needle, requiring it to be introduced almost 2 mm into the subarachnoid space to make sure the orifice is inside the canal and to observe the return of CSF⁵. It is true that the non-traumatic needle has at least 1 mm of blind tip beyond the orifice, and there is a tendency to advance the needle into the subarachnoid space more than it is necessary than with the cut-bevel needle which, after crossing the dura mater, allows immediate backflow of CSF. Thus, needle insertion is safer and it does not damage the spinal cord. Similarly, the entrance angle between T₅-T₆ (almost 60º) increases the distance of the tip of the needle from the posterior surface of the spinal cord measured by MRI, making it safer.

Resection of colon tumors is routinely done under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. Studying the pulmonary function of COPD patients undergoing surgeries for carcinoma or mammaplasty under segmental thoracic epidural block, only a small reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second without increasing the degree of airways obstruction was observed⁶, thus leading to the conclusion that regional block can be a good alternative to general anesthesia. General anesthesia with or without neuromuscular blockade leads to a reduction in residual functional capacity. Residual neuromuscular blockade is a predictor of postoperative pulmonary complication, causing alveolar hypo-ventilation and gastric regurgitation with consequent bronchoaspiration⁷. The routine use of nasogastric drainage accelerates recovery of the bowel function, but it can increase the risk of silent bronchoaspiration⁸. By choosing regional blocks, one avoids manipulation of the airways, residual neuromuscular blockade, and the use of gastric drainage.

On a recent review of the perioperative management of COPD patients, the authors⁸ concluded that whenever possible neuro axis block, peripheral nerve block, or general anesthesia without intubation are indicated. Thus, considering that regional block is considered the preferred technique in COPD patients, we favored CSEA injecting small doses of local anesthetic in the subarachnoid space, and inserting the catheter in the epidural space for further administration if necessary. The use of low doses and thoracic puncture allows the segmentation of the spinal block observed by several authors^2,3 that in this case remained between T₃ and L₅ with incomplete motor blockade.

Typical cardiovascular effects of spinal block include a reduction in blood pressure and venous pressure with only a mild reduction in heart rate, ejection fraction, or cardiac output even in patients with poor left ventricular function. Hypotension develops due to a reduction in systemic vascular resistance and central venous pressure secondary to the sympathetic blockade, with vasodilation and redistribution of central blood volume to the extremities and splanchnic vascular bed⁹. This sympathetic blockade is rarely complete and some preservation of the sympathetic reflex for challenge situations is observed¹⁰. Hypotension and bradycardia were not observed during the procedure. Oxygen saturation as well as P_ETCO₂ remained within normal limits during the procedure demonstrating that high spinal block can be safe, even in the absence of tracheal intubation.

Compared to spinal block, CSEA offers flexibility, since the duration of the anesthesia can be extended by using an epidural catheter. This was demonstrated by the injection of bupivacaine through the catheter approximately two hours after the beginning of the surgery. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia also allows a reduction in the duration of the anesthesia by the subarachnoid administration of the minimal dose of the local anesthetic to establish the initial level for the surgery. In the present case, an initial dose of only 8 mg of isobaric bupivacaine was used, i.e., almost half of the dose used in another case report with lumbar puncture¹¹.

Patients with severe pulmonary disease have a high risk of postoperative complications when undergoing general anesthesia. Several cases of colorectal surgeries with neuro axis block without general anesthesia or tracheal intubation have been described in the literature. This case demonstrated that segmental spinal block using CESA in COPD patients can be an effective technique for colorectal surgery without the need to manage the upper airways.

REFERENCES

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*

Recebido do Serviço de Cirurgia do Hospital Rio Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  01 Dec 2009
• Date of issue
  Dec 2009

History

• Accepted
  05 Aug 2009
• Received
  24 Mar 2009