Spinal At T 10 ( 10 th Thoracic )

Background : The historical evidence of the use of “general spinal anesthesia” introduced by Thomas Jonnesco in 1909 for the surgeries of the skull, head, neck and thorax puncturing the subarachnoid space (SAS) between 1 and 2 thoracic vertebra producing perfect and deep analgesia for the above mentioned area influenced to puncture SAS at 10 thoracic vertebra (T10) in place of puncturing SAS between 12 th thoracic and 1 lumbar vertebra proposed by Thomas Jonnesco for anesthesia of lower portion of the body including upper and lower abdomen. Method: 30 (thirty) patients of 59.23±7.219 years classified as ASA class 1 and 2 were selected for upper and lower abdominal surgeries by administration of lower thoracic spinal anesthesia at the level of T10 with 2.5 ml of 0.5% inj. bupivacaine at sitting position to each patient. Hypotensive episode was treated with increment doses of Mephentermine and anxiety of each patient was relieved with 2 mg of midazolam. Bradycardia was treated with inj. atropine. Supplemental oxygen was administered to each patient. Result: Intrathecal procedure was operated successfully at the level of T10 without neural damage and intraoperative fall of blood pressure (98.00±6.034) mm of Hg and pulse rate (55.87±3.636) beats/minute was observed in each case from their base value (117.4±15.741) mm of Hg and heart rate (84.53±12.451) beats / minute respectively. No change of oxygen concentration (Spo2) (98.77±0.817) % was observed in each case. Unchanged respiratory status maintained spo2 in normal range. Conclusion: With minimal hemodynamic instability and well controlled surgical stress response lower thoracic spinal anesthesia at the level of T10 is proposed to be good alternative technique to general anesthesia for open and laparoscopic surgeries in abdomen.