Spinal anesthesia in premature infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

Subarachnoid blockade with hyperbaric tetracaine for the repair of inguinal hernias is a satisfactory alternative to general anesthesia for selected premature infants. This method of anesthesia may avoid the increased incidence of postoperative respiratory complications associated with general anesthesia and reduce the requirement of postoperative mechanical ventilatory support. It does not change the need for intensive postoperative monitoring. Infants in the 2,000-3,000-g weight range require higher doses of tetracaine compared with those more than 3,000 g. SEP monitoring perioperatively may provide further information on the physiology of the premature infants' nervous systems in response to spinal anesthesia.