Preprocedural Ultrasonography Versus Landmark-Guided Spinal Anesthesia in Geriatric Patients with Difficult Anatomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Objective: This study was aimed to determine whether preprocedural ultrasonography (USG) affects the technical performance of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with difficulty in palpating landmarks, scoliosis, or previous spine surgery.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 156 elderly patients scheduled for elective orthopedic lower extremity surgery. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive spinal anesthesia by the preprocedural USG examination (group U) or conventional landmark palpation technique (group P).