title: A Comparison of Efficacy of Segmental Epidural Block versus Spinal Anaesthesia for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is done under general anaesthesia in most of the centres. Associated complications and cost are higher for general anaesthesia than for regional anaesthesia. Present study is designed to compare the efficacy of epidural block versus spinal anaesthesia with regards to intraoperative mean arterial pressure, heart rate, postoperative pain intensity, analgesic requirement, Postoperative complications and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing PCNL.
  
  
  METHODS
  After taking Ethical Committee clearance, patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups using table of randomization (n= 40 each) Group E- Epidural block, Group S- Spinal block. Various parameters like intraoperative mean arterial pressure, heart rate, postoperative pain intensity, analgesic requirement, postoperative complications and patient satisfaction were studied in these groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative data was analysed using unpaired t-test and qualitative data was analysed using chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty four times in Epidural as compared to fifteen times in spinal anaesthesia two or more attempts required. Mean time (min) required to achieve the block of anaesthesia in group E and group S was 15.45±2.8 and 8.52±2.62 min respectively. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 5 min, 10 min and 15 min were significantly lower in spinal group as compared to epidural group. After 30 minutes, differences were not significant but still MAP was lower in spinal group. After 30 minutes difference in heart rate between two groups was statistically significant and higher rate recorded in spinal group till the end of 3 hours. Postoperative VAS score was significantly higher in spinal group and 4 hours onwards difference was highly significant. Postoperative Nausea Vomiting (PONV) Score was significantly higher in spinal group as compared to epidural group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For PCNL, segmental epidural block is better than spinal anaesthesia in terms of haemodynamic stability, postoperative analgesia, patient satisfaction and reduced incidence of PONV. Epidural anaesthesia is difficult to execute and takes longer time to act as compared to spinal block which limits its use.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Anaesthesia, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Avinash S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nandanwar
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Yogita
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Urology, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Vinayak G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Wagaskar
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Urology, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Vidyasagar H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Baheti
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Urology, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Harshwardhan V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Tanwar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Department, Department of Urology, King's Edward Memorial Hospital and S.G.S. Medical College , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Sujata K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Patwardhan
keywords: Epidural anaesthesia; GA; PCNL