[Complications and side effects of spinal anesthesia]

Complication and side effects of spinal anesthesia have been studied in 2603 patients. The following complications of spinal anesthesia have been observed: transient and prolonged arterial hypotension; marked respiratory and circulatory depression; neurological consequences and early and late respiratory depression associated with intrathecal administration of narcotic analgesics. Side effects comprised vomiting, nausea, transitory urination disturbances, and itching. The dependence of the number of complications and side effects on the level of puncture, the patient's age and concentration of the anesthetic introduced into subarachnoidal space has been established.