Total Spinal Block for Treatment of Post-traumatic Cervical Syndrome

Chang, Won Young; Yoon, So Young; Kim, Kyung Bae; Choe, Kun Chun

Abstract

In March of l992, We performed two intentional total spinal blocks for the relief of pain. This was for 2 cases of post-traumatic cervical syndrome whose various symptoms were chronically unresponsive to the usual conservative treatments. We regularly checked the blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen ataration and observed clinically the changes of respiration, consciousness, lid and light reflexes during the total spinal block. Pain relief was evaluated by using the Visual Analog Scale which is designed to measure the subjective intensity of pain. The results were as follows; 1) The effectiveness of total spinal block was 60% in case I, 40% in case 2. 2) We observed two complications from the procedure. Firstly during the block, these were transient periods of hypotension. Following the block, accidental procedures related direct neural trauma resulted in anterior chest wall pain. In conclusion we believe that total spinal block is a satisfactory and reliable method for the treatment of post-traumatic cervical syndrome.