Author/Editor		Potočnik, I; Oberauner, L
Title		Subdural block - a complication at epidural anaesthesia - a case report
Type		članek
Source		In: Zabavnik Z, editor. Book of lectures of the 16th anaesthesia symposium Alpe Adria; 2003 May 9-11; Maribor. Maribor: Splošna bolnišnica,
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 133-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Background: Epidural anaesthesia (EA) is a regional anaesthesia method that interrupts afferent nerve conduction. Epidural space (ES) is the space beiween the internal leaf of the dura mater and the spinal periosteum. The complications of regional anaesthesia are rare and are not more common than that of general anaesthesia. The incidence of permanent neurological deficit is 0.03-0.1%. The subdural block (SB) is a rare complication of performing the epidural anaesthesia with an incidence of 0.82%. The subdural space is difficult to enter deliberately, because the arachnoid membrane is closely adherent to the overlying dura in most patients. Injecting local anaesthetic solution into this space produces a high level of sensory and motor blockade. Case description: A case of 47-year-old female is described, who underwent surgery for cancer of the rectosigma. It was agreed to use combined general and epidural anaesthesia. Despite proper inšertion of the epidural catheter and recommended tests for checking its correct placement, the total spinal block developed. We suppose that a rare complication, the so-called subdural block, occurred. Conclusion: The authors wish to draw attention to this relatively rare complication of the epidural anaesthesia, which is not mentioned in most of the textbooks. Only careful attention and a high index of awareness for the development of the signs of the subdural block will prevent its possible complications.
Descriptors		ANESTHESIA, EPIDURAL NERVE BLOCK SPINAL NERVES SUBDURAL SPACE MIDDLE AGE