[Spinal anesthesia for ambulatory arthroscopy. The view of the patients: results and patient's viewpoint]

Spinal anaesthesia for outpatients is a method that is not favoured in several reports without having representative data. It was our desire to investigate whether this method could be used without having dangerous side effects.

After knee arthroscopy in spinal anaesthesia, patients received a questionnaire. The questions could be answered anonymously in a "yes-no" fashion. Additionally, the patients received an accompanying explanation concerning the so-called health-structure law.

Of a total of 85 patients; 70 sent back the questionnaire. Temporary neck stiffness was seen in 1 case, hypotension in 5, nausea in 2, emesis in 5, and fever in 3. Twelve patients had headaches, 67 were in good condition upon leaving the clinic. Sixty-four would prefer spinal anaesthesia for a subsequent similar procedure. Nine patients treated themselves at home, which is not permitted in outpatient procedures; 7 of these had headaches that may have been secondary to the dural puncture. No severe side effects were seen.

1. Spinal anaesthesia is a method that can also be performed in out-patients. 2. an increased incidence of post-dural-puncture headaches may be seen due to the early mobilisation of the patients; 3. the patient must be treated by a second person; 4. premedication must be performed 2 days before the procedure to determine ASA status; and 5.better co-operation between surgeons and anaesthesiologists must be sought.