title: [Spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgery. Extent, routines and patient satisfaction].
abstract: Spinal anaesthesia has been used in day-care surgery for a long time, but the fear of past dural puncture headache has limited its use in younger patients. A survey was conducted in order to assess the extent to which spinal anaesthesia is used for day-care surgery, and the routines governing the present practice in Norwegian anaesthetic departments. Information was obtained on the use of spinal anaesthesia for day-care surgery. In half of the anaesthetic departments spinal anaesthesia was used regularly. A large proportion of the departments worked with a lower age limit over 30 years of age for use of spinal anaesthesia. This does not seem to be justified on the basis of the scientific evidence. A prospective patient study revealed that out of 120 day-care patients aged 15 to 45 years who were given spinal anaesthesia, 93% would accept the same kind of anaesthetic again. Based on recent studies, the fear of post dural puncture headache should not preclude the use of spinal anaesthesia as a good alternative to general anaesthesia in day-care surgery.
authors.affiliation: Anestesi- og Intensivavdelingen, Hammerfest sykehus.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wisborg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brattebø
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires