[Lumbar spinal and epidural anesthesia for vascular surgery].

From 1979-1981, a total of 355 high risk patients were scheduled for vascular surgery under lumbar spinal or epidural anaesthesia. 201 patients were given spinal anaesthesia and 140 patients continuous epidural anaesthesia. 14 patients had punction failure. The analgesia for vascular surgery on the lower extremities done under spinal anaesthesia was adequate in 193 patients (98%) and insufficient in only 4 patients (2%). Epidural anaesthesia was adequate for 117 patients (96%) and insufficient in 5 (4%). The analgesia for vascular surgery on lower abdomen done under spinal anaesthesia was adequate in 9 patients (64%) and insufficient in 5 patients (36%), epidural anaesthesia, being adequate for 31 patients (65%) and insufficient for 17 patients (35%). Lumbar spinal and epidural anaesthesia are therefore alternative methods to general anaesthesia for high risk patients undergoing vascular surgery, especially on lower extremities. Spinal anaesthesia offers reliable surgical analgesia and good muscle relaxation but it is limited in time. Continuous epidural anaesthesia on the other hand does guarantee unlimited operating time and provides pre- and postoperative pain relief.