A Retrospective Analysis of Spinal Anaesthesia for Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour in Elderly Patients: A Single Centre Experience From 2007 to 2017

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of spinal anesthesia among elderly patients The basic methods for diagnosis and management of bladder cancer include endoscopic procedures (cystoscopy, trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour TURBT). The age of most patients is above 60, which increases the risk of complications during the perioperative period. Usually the leading anaesthesia method in TURBT procedures is regional, mainly spinal, anaesthesia. Although the prevalence of regional upon general anaesthesia is questioned, certain positive aspects of regional anaesthesia are indisputable. Maintaining logical communication with a patient during the procedure enables early diagnosis of complications (TUR syndrome, bladder perforation). Undeniably, regional anaesthesia ensures the best pain management in the early post-operative period. The simplicity of performing an efficacious spinal block and its cost-effectiveness are additional factors, which have contributed to the acknowledgement of the method as the standard of anaesthesia for transurethral procedures.