Spinal phobia: survey results of patient attitudes and preferences regarding anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine unbiased patient preferences for either spinal or general anesthesia for upcoming surgeries.


METHODS
Prior to contact with anesthesia personnel, a simple questionnaire was completed by surgical patients to determine their demographic characteristics and previous anesthetic experiences. Their concerns regarding a list of complications of general and spinal anesthesia and their preferences for general or spinal anesthesia if either method could be used were also determined.


METHODS
University-affiliated suburban community hospital.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 254 patients. A preference for general over spinal anesthesia was expressed by 80.2% of the patients responding. They expressed significantly more concerns regarding nausea/vomiting, sore throat, feeling sleepy, and death with general anesthesia than with spinal anesthesia. Concerns of back pain, nerve damage and paralysis were statistically related to spinal anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey shows a strong patient preference for general anesthesia and a phobia for spinal anesthesia.
Sosis
M B
MB
Department of Anesthesiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Parnass
S M
SM
McCarthy
R J
RJ
Braverman
B
B
Watson
G
G
Halter
T
T
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003643:Death; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012894:Sleep Stages; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000293:injuries; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology