Regional Anaesthesia for Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate—Which Method and Which Segments?

Abstract

Four methods of regional anaesthesia for trans-urethral prostatectomy were compared in 350 patients. Complete analgesia was produced in all cases where the level of the block reached the third lumbar segment. Caudal analgesia was unreliable because of the low levels achieved. It is likely that the “capsular sign “is lost if the level reaches the tenth thoracic segment. Anatomical explanations are considered.