Serious Complications Related to Regional Anesthesia

Is Neuraxial Anesthesia Safe in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection?

“…In a retrospective review of 4767 spinal anesthetics administered, only two infectious complications were found. Similarly, Auroy et al, in a multicenter prospective study including 30,413 epidural and 40,640 spinal anesthetics, found no infectious complications [2]. The results of our retrospective study suggest that the risk of a CNS infection (specifically meningitis or epidural abscess) after administration of neuraxial anesthesia for surgical treatment of a PJI of the hip or knee is extremely low.…”

“…In a retrospective series in Sweden involving 1,260,000 spinal and 450,000 epidural anesthetics performed during a decade, Moen et al [22] reported epidural abscess in 13 patients and meningitis in 29. By contrast, in a multicenter prospective study involving 30,413 epidural and 40,640 spinal anesthetics, no infectious complications were reported [2].…”

Spontaneous complete recovery of paraplegia caused by epidural hematoma complicating epidural anesthesia: a case report and review of literature

“…8 Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare complication of epidural anesthesia. [1][2][3] Moen et al 3 found statistically significant differences in the incidence of epidural bleed when epidural injection was given for obstetric procedures (one in 200 000) and for knee replacements (one in 3600). Apparent risk factors for developing spinal hematoma following neuraxial anesthesia are female gender, old age, traumatic procedure, history of gastrointestinal bleeding, patients receiving anticoagulation and commencement of anticoagulation shortly after the spinal injection.…”

“…Although considered very safe, serious complications can occur with 0.1-1 per 10 000 epidural injections. [1][2][3] The Most frequently encountered complications are cardiovascular or neurological. The spectrum of neurological complications includes transient neurological deficits, permanent nerve root injury, myelopathy and arachnoiditis.…”

Convulsions following axillary brachial plexus blockade with levobupivacaine

“…Auroy et al [11] conducted a prospective survey to determine the incidence and characteristics of serious cardiac and neurological complications associated with regional anaesthesia. Of 103 730 regional anaesthetics, 23 patients suffered seizures (2.2 : 10 000).…”