Is it Possible to Perform Spinal Anesthesia for Surgery with the Patient Standing?

Abstract

In a recent Editorial the different puncture positions and all the local anesthetic solutions for spinal anesthesia was shown [1].Spinal puncture can be performed in four positions: sitting, lateral decubitus, ventral decubitus, and on some orthopedic tables where there is a space between the buttocks and the chest, in the supine position [1]. Most schools of anesthesiology prefer to teach the neuraxial (epidural or subarachnoid) approach with puncture in the sitting position, neglecting the other various positions. There is another school that begins teaching the approach with puncture in the lateral decubitus position and later teaches puncture in the sitting position and in the prone position [1]. This school is familiar with the indication for hemi-spinal anesthesia, unilateral and posterior [2].