ABSTRACT
A study of single space combined spinal epidural (CSE) block was carried out in 30 patients for lower extremity orthopaedic surgery. Hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) was used for subarachanoid block and (0.25%) isobaric bupivacaine was given through epidural catheter for “top-up” doses to facilitate surgery and for postoperative analgesia. Operative conditions were described as excellent in 73.33% patients, good in 23.33% patients and fair 3.33%) patients. Similarly post operative analgesia was excellent in 70%, good in 26.66% and fair in 3.33% cases. Intra operative complications like hypotension < 80mm Hg occurred in 3.33% patients and < 90 mmHg in 10% patients. No post spinal headache or neurological complications were seen. CSE anaesthesia appears to combine the reliability of spinal and the flexibility of epidural block while their drawbacks are minimized.