Chapter 9 Complications of regional anaesthesia
Paul Clyburn and
Rafal Baraz
- • A high regional block is more common than a total spinal, but it should be carefully observed as it may progress to a total spinal
- • Total spinal is an emergency that requires immediate recognition and management (ABCD approach)
- • Hypotension after spinal anaesthesia is common and should be treated by minimizing aorto-caval compression and vasopressors
- • Prevention of local anaesthetic toxicity is easier than treatment
- • Post dural puncture headache is common, it is typically postural in nature but should be differentiated from less common, more sinister causes of headache
- • Epidural haematoma and abscess are uncommon but potentially very serious complications in which early recognition is important.
