Accidental Total Spinal Anesthesia Following Thoracic Epidural Block -A case report-

흉부 경막외 차단 시 발생된 우발적 전척추마취 -증례 보고-

Total spinal anesthesia is a serious life threatening complication of spinal and epidural anesthesia. We report an accidental total spinal anesthesia developed during a thoracic epidural block in a practitioner's pain clinic. A 69-year-old female with post-herpetic neuralgia was treated by a thoracic epidural block. A thoracic tapping for the epidural block was performed in the right lateral position at a level between $T_{5-6}$, using a 23 gauge Tuohy needle. After the epidural space was identified, a mixed solution of 10 ml of 0.3% lidocaine and 20 mg of triamcinolone was injected into the epidural space. After removal of the syringe, fluid was dripping through the needle. The patient subsequently complained of dyspnea and dizziness, and she became unconscious. She was intubated immediately and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed because there was no pulse palpable. The patient recovered an hour after transfer to a general hospital and was discharged without any further complication 19 days later.