Continuous spinal anaesthesia has not been widely used in Australia. Epidural anaesthesia is often inadequate in patients with previous spinal surgery, as distribution of local anaesthetic in the epidural space is unpredictable. Two cases are presented where continuous spinal anaesthesia enabled satisfactory analgesia and anaesthesia to be obtained for labour and caesarean delivery respectively.
ReahG., LyonsG.R., WilsonR.C.Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.Anaesthesia1998; 53: 580–588.
12.
PittardA., VucevicM.Regional anaesthesia with a subarachnoid microcatheter for Caesarean section in a parturient with aortic stenosis.Anaesthesia1998; 53: 169–173.
13.
RozkowskiA., SmyczekD., BirnbachD.J.Continuous spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in a patient with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.Reg Anesth1996; 21: 477–479.
14.
RundshagenI., StandlT., KochsE., MullerM., Schulte am EschJ.Comparison between patient-controlled and bolus administration of plain bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief.Reg Anesth1997; 22: 150–156.
15.
RobsonS.C., SamsoonS., BoysR.J., RodeckC., MorganB.Incremental spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section: maternal and fetal haemodynamic effects.Br J Anaesth1993; 70: 634–638.
16.
Safety alert.Cauda equina syndrome associated with the use of small-bore catheters in continuous spinal anesthesia.Food and Drug Administration. May 29, 1992.
17.
LambertD.H., StrichartzG.R.Irreversible conduction block in isolated nerve by high concentrations of local anesthetics.Anesthesiology1994; 80: 1082–1093.
18.
HorlockerT.T., McGregorD.G., MatsushigeD.K.. Neurologic complications of 603 consecutive continuous spinal anesthetics using macrocatheter and microcatheter techniques.Anesth Analg1997; 84: 1063–1070.
