Neurologic complications of 603 consecutive continuous spinal anesthetics using macrocatheter and microcatheter techniques. Perioperative Outcomes Group.

Recent case reports of cauda equina syndrome after continuous spinal anesthesia have led to a reevaluation of the indications and applications of this regional anesthetic technique. However, few large studies have formally investigated the frequency of neurologic complications using macro- and microcatheter (smaller than 24 gauge) techniques. This retrospective review examines 603 continuous spinal anesthetics, including 127 administered through a 28-gauge microcatheter, performed between June 1987 and May 1992.

A retrospective review of 4767 consecutive spinal anesthetics: central nervous system complications. Perioperative Outcomes Group.

Serious neurologic complications rarely occur after spinal anesthesia. Historically, the reported frequency of persistent sensory or motor deficits has ranged from 0.005% to 0.