Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards
08:38

Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards

Published on: September 3, 2020

6.6K

Spinal anesthesia instead of general anesthesia for infants undergoing tendon Achilles lengthening

Mohammad AlSuhebani1, David P Martin1,2, Lance M Relland1,2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Local and Regional Anesthesia
|May 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Spinal anesthesia (SA) offers a safe alternative to general anesthesia for pediatric orthopedic surgery. This study highlights its successful application in infants undergoing Achilles tendon lengthening.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Neuroanesthesia

Background:

  • General anesthesia (GA) in early life raises concerns about potential long-term neurocognitive effects.
  • Spinal anesthesia (SA) is underutilized in pediatric populations, often reserved for high-risk patients.
  • Our center has established a program for using SA as the primary anesthetic for select pediatric surgical procedures.

Discussion:

  • This paper details the use of SA in 6 infants for tendon Achilles lengthening, an orthopedic procedure.
  • We review existing literature on SA for pediatric orthopedic surgery.
  • Protocols, dosing, and potential adverse effects of SA in this context are discussed.

Key Insights:

  • SA can be effectively employed for pediatric orthopedic procedures like Achilles tendon lengthening.
  • The study provides practical protocols and dosing information for implementing SA in this population.
  • Evidence supports SA as a viable alternative to GA, mitigating potential neurocognitive risks.

Outlook:

  • Further research is warranted to expand the application of SA in pediatric orthopedics.
  • Long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the absence of neurocognitive sequelae.
  • Wider adoption of SA protocols could enhance patient safety in pediatric surgery.

Keywords:
orthopedic surgeryspinal anesthesiatendon Achilles lengthening

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Varicocele Treatment Through Enhanced Surgical Techniques04:49

Author Spotlight: Advancing Varicocele Treatment Through Enhanced Surgical Techniques

Published on: October 25, 2024

3.1K
Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Human Achilles Tendon by Stability Quantification of Echo Patterns08:11

Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Human Achilles Tendon by Stability Quantification of Echo Patterns

Published on: September 5, 2025

528

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
1.5K
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
704
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
1.8K
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
769
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
1.4K
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...
2.1K