[Neurological complications of peri-spinal block in regional anesthesia]

A perispinal block (intradural and/or epidural) is a technique which is considered to be safe under certain conditions. Nevertheless, neurological complications are possible and may be associated with transient or permanent sequelae, as is shown by symptoms ranging from minor alterations (most commonly) to major neurological defects (rarely).

In this article we describe a review of the bibliography on physiopathological mechanisms (ischaemia, compression, trauma per se, neurotoxicity of the anesthetic drugs and infection), and also the risk factors associated with the development of these complications.

Knowledge permits the use of a series of preventive measures to be followed before, during and after carrying out the technique.