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Postoperative outcome in high‐risk infants undergoing herniorrhaphy: comparison between spinal and general anaesthesia
Author(s) -
Somri M.,
Gaitini L.,
Vaida S.,
Collins G.,
Sabo E.,
Mogilner G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.00431.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthesia , inguinal hernia , general anaesthesia , spinal anesthesia , incidence (geometry) , hernia , surgery , physics , optics
The incidence of inguinal hernia is higher in premature infants, particularly in low birth weight neonates. This latter group may also incur increased postoperative respiratory complications and inpatient admissions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of general and spinal anaesthesia on postoperative respiratory morbidity and on the length of hospital stay in high‐risk infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. Forty patients, all high‐risk infants who underwent unilateral or bilateral herniorrhaphies, were randomly assigned to receive general anaesthesia ( n = 20) or spinal anaesthesia ( n = 20). There was a significant difference in respiratory morbidity between the two groups, as well as a significant difference in the inpatient hospital stay. The present study suggests that spinal anaesthesia can be used safely for high‐risk infants, preterm or formerly preterm, undergoing inguinal hernia repair.