• M B Sosis, S M Parnass, R J McCarthy, B Braverman, G Watson, and T Halter.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
• J Clin Anesth. 1995 Aug 1; 7 (5): 389-94.

Study ObjectiveTo determine unbiased patient preferences for either spinal or general anesthesia for upcoming surgeries.DesignPrior to contact with anesthesia personnel, a simple questionnaire was completed by surgical patients to determine their demographic characteristics and previous anesthetic experiences. Their concerns regarding a list of complications of general and spinal anesthesia and their preferences for general or spinal anesthesia if either method could be used were also determined.SettingUniversity-affiliated suburban community hospital.Measurements And Main ResultsThe survey was completed by 254 patients. A preference for general over spinal anesthesia was expressed by 80.2% of the patients responding. They expressed significantly more concerns regarding nausea/vomiting, sore throat, feeling sleepy, and death with general anesthesia than with spinal anesthesia. Concerns of back pain, nerve damage and paralysis were statistically related to spinal anesthesia.ConclusionsThis survey shows a strong patient preference for general anesthesia and a phobia for spinal anesthesia.

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