Comparison of Spinal and General Anesthesia in Lumbar Disc Surgery

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative advantage and disadvantage between general (GA) and spinal anesthesia (SA). Material and Methods: Sixty patients (randomize GA, n=30, SA, n=30) undergoing lumbar disc surgery were enrolled. Patients were matched for demographic data, perioperative physiological changes, pain score, amount of blood loss, surgeon 'satisfaction, perioperative complications and length of stay in hospital. Results: Intraoperatively and postoperatively, the incidence of tachycardia and hypertension were more frequent with GA (p<0.05). The surgeon's satisfaction was reported to be higher in the GA group (p<0.05). Anesthetic and operative times were longer for patients in GA group (p<0.05), in whom more nausea, vomiting, pain and greater requirements for antiemetic and pain medication were also during PACU (p<0.05). 24 hours after surgery, PACU time, ambulation of day of surgery, hospital stay, requirement of antiemetic and analgesic medication, pain score, nausea, urinary retention and headache were similar in two groups (p>0.05), however vomiting was more frequent in GA group in this period (p<0.05). Conclusion: For patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery, spinal anesthesia was as safe and effective as general anesthesia. Specific advantages to spinal anesthesia include decreased antiemetic and analgesic medication and reduced overall complication rate.