Der Anaesthesist
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Continuous spinal anaesthesia has a number of advantages, but there are a number of drawbacks as well: difficulties in threading the catheter, distribution of the local anaesthetics and the development of cauda equina syndrome. Spinaloscopy was done to visualize the fate of catheters during and after their insertion, as well as the distribution of local anaesthetics injected through these fine-bore catheters. METHOD. ⋯ Based on our observations, we conclude: The catheter should only be inserted 2 cm into the subarachnoid space. This may decrease the risk of malpositioning. After the tip of the catheter has reached the subarachnoid space, the stylet should be with drawn 2 or 3 cm to minimize the risk of nerve injury and/or bleeding.