Complications of Spinal Anaesthesia
All types of anaesthetic have their own set of potential complications, including spinal anaesthesia.
Spinal anaesthesia
Spinal anaesthesia is when a numbing agent is injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This will prevent sensation and movement below the waist. The patient may be completely conscious or sedated.
Occasionally a spinal anaesthetic will be given alongside a general anaesthetic. Normally this only happens if the spinal anaesthetic does not work properly or the surgery is more complication than expected.
A spinal anaesthesia is typically used for operations below the waist, such as hernia repair, orthopaedic surgery or genital surgery. Medical practitioners may choose to use a spinal anaesthetic rather than a general anaesthetic if it is safer for a patient.
Spinal anaesthesia can also be administered as pain relief after a surgical procedure.
Is spinal anaesthesia the same as epidural anaesthesia?
Spinal anaesthesia is almost the same thing as an epidural. The difference is that a spinal anaesthetic involves one injection close to the nerves. An epidural involves a tube being left inside the epidural space, meaning doctors can 'top-up' the anaesthetic as and when required.
Spinal anaesthesia complications
All anaesthetic is associated with possible side effects and complications, and spinal anaesthesia is no different. A patient should be advised of all the risks before consenting to the procedure. If medical practitioners fail to provide this advice, a patient will not have given their 'informed consent'.
The side effects and complications of spinal anaesthesia include:
- Difficultly passing urine, which is normally temporary
- Nausea and vomiting
- Backache
- Headaches, with severe headaches being caused by CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak
- Itching
- Infection and abscesses
- Low blood pressure
- Decreased respiratory rate with inadequate breathing
- Nerve damage
- Blood clot in the spinal column
- Convulsions
- Cardiac arrest
Some of these complications can result in very serious consequences. For example, nerve damage can result in long-term neurological dysfunction. Low blood pressure can cause loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. Decreased respiratory rate can lead to oxygen deficiency and multi-system organ failure.
Compensation for spinal anaesthetic complications
Sometimes a patient will develop complications as a result of spinal anaesthesia, for which no one is to blame. However, doctors must do their utmost to monitor a patient during the procedure and respond to any problems that arise. As long as this standard of care is achieved, there will not be a case of negligence.
But if medical practitioners fail to spot that a patient is suffering complications and therefore do not act, the standard of care will be deemed unacceptable. Furthermore if the actions of medical practitioners cause a complication – such as a non-sterile environment resulting in an infection – there may be grounds for a claim.
For more information on claiming compensation for spinal anaesthesia complications, please contact us today.
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