High spinal nerve block for large bowel anastomosis. A prospective study.

In a randomized, prospective study of patients undergoing large bowel anastomosis, 47 patients received subarachnoid block and light general anaesthesia, and 51 received conventional general anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 17.0% of the spinal group and in 17.6% of patients anaesthetized by the conventional technique. Blood loss was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in the spinal group than in the general anaesthesia group. Blood transfusion was required in 10.6% of patients in the spinal group and 21.6% of patients receiving general anaesthesia.