Comparing the side effects of general versus spinal anesthesia in transurethral lithotripsy

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract stone is a common disease in urogenital system. The usual method for treatment of ureteral stones is transurethral lithotripsy (TUL). The aim of this study was to compare the side effects of spinal versus general anesthesia in transurethral lithotripsy. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial study on 90 patients undergoing transurethral lithotripsy in Alzahra Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, during 2015-2016. Patients were divided in two groups of general and spinal anesthesia. Two groups were compared about operation and recovery time, surgeon and patient satisfaction, vital signs and complications of anesthesia type. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t, Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests via SPSS software. P-value < 0.05 considered significant. Findings: Recovery time was shorter in group receiving general anesthesia (104.2 � 25.2 vs. 80.0 � 24.4, P < 0.001), while the number of people in need of pethidine (42.0 vs. 21.0, P < 0.001) and also the dose of pethidine was higher in this group (5.3 � 0.4 vs. 2.2 � 0.4, P < 0.001). General anesthesia group reported higher rates of side effects as well (P = 0.010). Conclusion: The findings of this study imply fewer side effects in the use of spinal anesthesia for transurethral lithotripsy. � 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.