If the choice is between a spinal anaesthetic and the general, and the patient isn't too apprehensive about the idea of a needle in their back, for the most part the spinal leads to better outcomes.

There are certain risks with a general anaesthetic (it's not quite as benign as "going to sleep") that one avoids with the spinal. There's far less concern about managing cardiovascular effects and lung function (smokers are a classic example; the complexity of administering general anaesthesia to a smoker jumps dramatically when compared to a non-smoker.)

Additionally there's the concern with the airway in general. For the most part, patients under general are intubated (sometimes, under circumstances I don't yet quite understand myself, you can just put a laryngeal mask airway in, but it's still relatively intrusive.) That's not a process without effects, and the depth of anaesthesia needs to be increased as a result (you can imagine having a tube in your trachea can be a rather noxious stimulus, and keeping you from reacting to that requires some more careful management.)

There are also added benefits in recovery. The spinal will provide better pain control than just intravenous analgesia, and controlling pain before it starts, even intraoperatively, seems to have a benefit in post-op recovery. For abdominal surgery (hernia repairs, etc.) return of GI function happens sooner with regional anaesthesia than general. As a whole, the process simply takes less out of you than "being put to sleep."

And, for the non-scientific appraisal, patients seem to come out of the OR in better shape with just a spinal. The whole process is far less stressful for everyone involved.

why always take the spinal?

Alright 3 quick things:

1)
Class 6 faust


Class 5 faust


Wonder what Grand Arms unit could have these as faust?...

2)We must be getting alot more money flowing in or I'm just not noticing it. I was getting my cleats today at the big box store cespool we call south edmonton commons, and pulling up to the shoe store was a goddamn Lambo Gallardo! This old guy got out and trailing him was not to be derogatory was his Trophy wife. She looked like she just graduated high school and was pretty much pancaked with make-up. I'm justing standing there wondering WOW can't believe I would live to see this Edmonton. I'm always expecting trucks or you know "normal" cars. I want a piece of that oil money action!

3)So can any of you guys teach me Portuguese in a week? I know this sounds strange but believe me it would help me out alot.

Pre-pre-Ultimate frisbee practise. (Basically an excuse for me to brake in my new cleats and for you to enjoy the nice weather.)

tomorrow@ William Lutsky YMCA field, 2:30ish PM

map here.

Does anyone? Ever?

Or because they have no idea what you just said.

Someone want to explain to me why it is more secure to limit FTP access to a server to on-campus machines and then give out login instructions for VPN access instead of just using secure FTP?

Especially when the plugin you're using for the VPN access won't install.

This is why people hate computers: IT departments.

Glad to help, Tay. I'll also remind you that if surgery does come up (hope it doesn't, but if it does), and you're given the option of the spinal, to always, always, always take the spinal. Always.

Happy belated birthday Beck.

Also that information is both interesting and reassuring, Paras. Either way, I will hopefully not require surgery anytime in the near future!

Okay bud I'll be there.