Patients with chronic spinal cord injury (CSCI) are a challenge for anesthetists for several reasons. Pressure sores, a common complication of CSCI, may require debridement via orthoplastic procedures involving surgical excision of the infected bone and soft tissue, insertion of antibiotic carrier and soft tissue closure. Safe and acceptable methods to provide surgical anesthesia to these patients are therefore important. Four patients with complete CSCI underwent operations in lateral position under standby anesthesia and audio-visual distraction (AVD) with minimal sedation.
The report suggests that applying AVD as an adjunct to standby anesthesia during major surgery can reduce anesthetic risk in persons with paraplegia. Patients reported that they were not concerned and felt comfortable in the operation theatre. Patients rated the experience as “better” than previous general…
