Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Norimasa Seo

Publications and source records attributed to Norimasa Seo.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Diphenhydramine is useful in a parturient with hypersensitivity to local anesthetics to manage her delivery].

We did an obstetric management of a parturient, aged 32 years, with a history of local anesthetic hypersensitivity. The results of histamine release test, and cellular antigen stimulation test with lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine and preservative-free lidocaine during her pregnancy showed that all local anesthetics studied were positive. We used diphenhydramine as an alternative local anesthetic for episiotomy to the parturient during the delivery. Infiltration with diphenhydramine provided adequate analgesia without noticeable adverse reaction. One month after the delivery, we performed provocative challenge test with local anesthetics, and confirmed she had positive tests to lidocaine, mepivacaine and preservative-free lidocaine, and negative test to bupivacaine. Diphenhydramine is an adequate alternative of local anesthetics in patients with history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Annual report of perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year 2000 at certified training hospitals of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists: with a special reference to anesthetic methods--report of the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Operating Room Safety].

The Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japan Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) sends annually confidential questionnaires of perioperative mortality and morbidity (cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, severe hypoxia) to Certified Training Hospitals of JSA. This report is a special reference to anesthetic methods in perioperative mortality and morbidity in 2000. Five hundreds and twenty hospitals reported perioperative mortality and morbidity referred to anesthetic methods and total numbers of reported cases were 910,007. The percentage of cases reported by each anesthetic method was as follows; inhalation anesthesia 45.47%, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) 6.15%, inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block 24.48%, TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block 6.33%, spinal with continuous epidural block (CSEA) 3.67%, epidural anesthesia 1.92%, spinal anesthesia 10%, conduction block 0.47% and others 1.49%. The incidence of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases due to all etiology (anesthetic management, preoperative complications, intraoperative complications, surgery, others) is estimated to be 6.55 cases in average; 5.36 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 30.72 cases in total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), 4.62 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.6 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 1.2 cases in spinal with continuous epidural block (CSEA), 0.57 cases in epidural anesthesia, 1.65 cases in spinal anesthesia, 2.36 cases in conduction block and 46.38 cases in other methods. However, the incidence of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthetic management is estimated to be 0.54 cases in average; 0.34 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 1.07 cases in TIVA, 0.58 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.17 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.9 cases in CSEA, 0.57 cases in epidural anesthesia, 0.99 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 1.47 cases in other methods. The incidence of severe hypotension per 10,000 cases due to all etiology is estimated to be 11.14 cases in average; 11.31 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 36.61 cases in TIVA, 9.29 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 6.59 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 3.59 cases in CSEA, 6.3 cases in epidural anesthesia, 4.39 cases in spinal anesthesia, 2.36 cases in conduction block and 23.56 cases in other methods. On the other hand, the incidence of severe hypotension per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthetic management is estimated to be 1.25 cases in average; 0.97 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 0.89 cases in TIVA, 1.39 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 1.39 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.09 cases in CSEA, 3.44 cases in epidural anesthesia, 1.87 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and zero case in other methods. The incidence of severe hypoxia per 10,000 cases due to all etiology is estimated to be 4.8 cases in average; 6.35 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 9.64 cases in TIVA, 3.82 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.26 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.3 cases in CSEA, 1.15 case in epidural anesthesia, 1.21 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 5.89 cases in other methods. On the other hands, the incidence of severe hypoxia per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthetic management is estimated to be 1.98 cases in average; 3.09 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 2.32 cases in TIVA, 1.3 cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.87 cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in CSEA, zero case in epidural anesthesia, 0.55 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and zero case in other methods. The mortality rate of cardiac arrest within 7 postoperative days per 10,000 cases due to all etiology is estimated to be 3.55 (54.2%) cases in average; 3.12 (58.1%) cases in inhalation anesthesia, 19.29 (62.8%) cases in TIVA, 1.17 (25.2%) cases in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.52 (20%) cases in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero cases in CSEA, zero case in epidural anesthesia, 0.33 (20%) cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 39.76 (85.7%) cases in other methods. On the other hands, the mortality rate of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthesia is estimated to be 0.07 (12.2%) case in average, 0.07 (21.4%) case in inhalation anesthesia, 0.18 (16.8%) case in TIVA, zero case in inhalation anesthesia + epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in TIVA + epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in CSEA, zero case in epidural anesthesia, 0.11 (11.1%) case in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 0.74 (50%) case in other methods. Five major combinations of listed critical incidents, causes and anesthetic methods were as follows: 18.93 cases in TIVA, preoperative complications and severe hypotension; 18.75 cases in TIVA, preoperative complications and cardiac arrest; 11.07 cases in TIVA, surgery and severe hypotension; 6.79 cases in TIVA, surgery and cardiac arrest; 5.24 cases in inhalation anesthesia, preoperative complications and severe hypotension. In summary: 1. There was no significant difference with regard to perioperative mortality and morbidity due to anesthetic management among anesthetic methods. 2. The percentage of each anesthetic method in 2000 was not different significantly from that in 1999 in spite of increased cases reported. 3. Incidence of severe hypotension due to all etiology of TIVA in 2000 decreased significantly compared with that in 1999 (P < 0.05). This may be attributed to the decreased incidence in preoperative complication (shock) and massive bleeding due to surgery.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2002

[A comment on five reports concerning perioperative mortality and morbidity of the year 1999 in Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists certified training hospitals].

Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) has conducted an annual survey concerning anesthesia-related morbidity and mortality in JSA certified training hospitals. This survey was conducted through confidential questionnaires sent by mail to the hospitals. In 'Survey 1999', 60.3% of the hospitals responded to the questionnaire. The results were published in five separate reports: with special reference to ASA-physical status, age, anesthetic methods, operative regions, and 'outline'. However, overall morbidity and mortality differed among the reports. For example, overall anesthesia-related morbidity in the report with special reference to ASA-PS was 0.08 (5/655,644) per 10,000 cases, although it was 0.13 (11/793,847) in a report 'outline'. This difference was caused by imperfect answers from some hospitals. Some hospitals only reported the total number of patients in 1999 and total cases with cardiac arrest or other critical events, without details of distribution as to ASA-physical status, age, anesthetic methods, and/or operative regions. As a result, a part of critical incidents was reflected in the calculation of overall mortality and morbidity in the 'outlines', but not in that of ASA-physical status, age, anesthetic methods, and/or operative regions. In 'Survey 2000', however this type of confusion was reduced, because increasing number of hospitals had answered the questionnaire completely.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2002

[Granulomatous polyp in the bronchus caused by anticoagulant therapy].

A 73-year-old woman was scheduled for right lower lobectomy. Her trachea was intubated with a left double-lumen endobronchial tube (Sheribronch, 35 Fr). There was no bleeding at the trachea or the bronchus during the operation. She received intravenous heparin (4000 IU.day-1) for anticoagulant therapy one hour after operation. On the first post-operative day, the mucosal bleeding in the left main bronchus was confirmed, which developed a granulomatous polyp on the 17th post-operative day. The anticoagulant therapy may have worsened slight mucosal damage caused by double lumen tube. It is important to select suitable tube size especially in patients who will receive anticoagulant therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Cervical spondylosis revealed after general anesthesia].

We present a case of complicated postoperative nerve injury. A 70-year-old man complained of partial paralysis and numbness of the left forearm 1.5 hour after operation for femoral artery bypass graft. Postoperative cervical spine MRI revealed cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The MRI findings could account for his symptom. Not only peripheral nerve injury but the cervical radiculopathy may play an important role in perioperative neuropathy.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Emergency cesarean section in a patient with acute cortical blindness and eclampsia].

A 28-year-old parturient with acute cortical blindness and eclampsia was scheduled for an emergency cesarean section. Computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed low-density areas suggesting cerebral edema in posterior regions. The operation was performed under general anesthesia with sevoflurane. The brain edema was managed by concentrated-glycerin and steroid. The operation was performed uneventfully. Her consciousness returned to normal by the following day and visual recovery was complete within 72 hr postpartum. The patient and the infant showed no complication on their discharge.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

[Perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year 2000 in 532 Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists certified training hospitals: with a special reference to surgical sites--report of the Japan Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Operating Room Safety].

Perioperative mortality and morbidity in Japan for the year 2000 were analyzed with special reference to operative regions. The total number of analyzed cases was 903,086. The percentages for each operative region were as follows, CRANIOTOMY 4.5%, THORACOTOMY 3.5%, HEART and GREAT-VESSELS 3.7%, THORACOTOMY with LAPAROTOMY 0.7%, LAPAROTOMY 30.4%, CESARIAN SECTION 3.3%, HEAD-NECK-ENT 14.7%, CHEST-ABDOMEN-PERINEUM 14.0%, SUPINE 3.6%, EXTREMITY including PERIPHERAL-VESSEL 17.2%, OTHERS 4.4%. The incidence of serious events, including cardiac arrest and severe hypotension and hypoxemia developing to cardiac arrest, was 26.74 per 10,000 anesthetics in all operative regions. The events were observed more frequently in HEART and GREAT-VESSELS 170.39, THORACOTOMY with LAPAROTOMY 85.84 and THORACOTOMY 63.63, and less frequently in CHEST-ABDOMEN-PERINEUM 10.49, CESARIAN SECTION 10.95 and EXTREMITY including PERIPHERAL-VESSEL 13.42. Regarding the prognosis of events, the cases with no sequelae were 63.4% in all operative regions. While there were fewer cases with no sequelae in CRANIOTOMY 49.0%, THORACOTOMY with LAPAROTOMY 43.4% and HEART and GREAT-VESSELS 44.4%, there were more cases in HEAD-NECK-ENT 86.9% and CHEST-ABDOMEN-PERINEUM 89.5%. The incidence of serious events totally attributable to anesthetic management was 5.24 per 10,000 anesthetics in all operative regions. The events were observed more frequently in THORACOTOMY 12.91 and SPINE 8.02, and less frequently in LAPAROTOMY except CESARIAN SECTION 4.11 and EXTREMITY including PERIPHERAL-VESSEL 4.65. The main cause of events in THORACOTOMY was inadequate airway management and in SPINE was inadequate airway management and the overdose or miss selection for drugs. Regarding the prognosis of events totally attributable to anesthetic management, the cases with no sequelae were 91.8% in all operative regions. There were fewer cases with no sequelae in HEART and GREAT-VESSELS 82.6%. The incidence of serious events totally attributable to anesthetic management was one fifth of all serious events in all operative regions. While the total deaths from 903,086 cases, including deaths in the operating room or within 7 postoperative days, were 641 cases (7.10 per 10,000 cases), the deaths totally attributable to anesthesia were 9 cases (0.10 per 10,000 cases).

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2002

[Combined block of femoral, sciatic, obturator nerves and lateral cutaneous nerve block with ropivacaine for leg amputation above the knee].

A 76-yr-old male presented for leg amputation above the knee. The patient complained of dyspnea due to pulmonary embolism occurring 3 weeks before operation. In addition, the patient could not report paresthesias because he had suffered from a cerebral infarction. Anesthesia was performed with combined block of femoral, sciatic, obturator nerves and the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh. The nerves were anesthetized with 0.75% ropivacaine solution 31 ml by use of an electrical nerve stimulator and an insulated needle. Nerve stimulation technique is the best choice for patients who are unable to report paresthesias reliably.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Annual study of anesthesia-related mortality and morbidity in the year 2000 in Japan: the outlines--report of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Operating Room Safety].

This report contains anesthesia-related mortality and morbidity in Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists Certified Training Hospitals (JSACTH) in the year 2000, as a part of the second series of annual studies started in 1999. JSA Committee on Operating Room Safety (CORS) sent confidential questionnaires to 794 JSACTH and received effective answers from 65.5% of hospitals. A total number of 941,217 anesthetics were documented. The respondents were asked to report all cases of cardiac arrests and other critical incidents (serious hypotension, serious hypoxemia and others), and their outcomes (death in operating room, death within 7 days, transfer to vegetative state and rescue without sequelae) as well as one principal cause for each incident from the list of 52 items. They were also requested to submit the tabulation of patients by ASA physical status, age distribution, surgery sites and anesthetic methods. Analysis was made by total incidents under anesthesia/surgery, and also by incidents totally attributable to anesthetic management (AM), due to preoperative complications (PC), due to intraoperative pathological events (IP) and due to surgery (SG). This paper focused analysis on entire patients, since analyses with special reference to ASA physical status, age distribution, surgery sites and anesthetic methods were reported previously. Total incidence of cardiac arrest under anesthesia/surgery was 6.52 per 10,000 anesthetics. PC, IP and SG occupied 46.4%, 19.1% and 23.0% of principal causes of total cardiac arrest, respectively. AM occupied only 8.1% of the principal causes and the incidence was 0.53 per 10,000. The most frequent cause of cardiac arrest in 52 more detailed classification of principal causes was preoperative hemorrhagic shock that occupied 23.3% of all cardiac arrests. The second was massive hemorrhage and/or hypovolemia due to surgical procedures (10.6%), and the third was surgery itself (9.5%). Prognosis of the cardiac arrest was worst in that due to PC, 73.7% of cardiac arrests died in the operating room or within 7 days after surgery and only 20.4% survived without sequelae. The best prognosis was found in cardiac arrest due to AM, 76.0% survived without sequelae and 12.0% died. The mortality rate after cardiac arrest was 3.52 per 10,000 anesthetics, of them 0.06 was due to AM, 0.39 due to IP, 2.23 due to PC and 0.76 due to SG. The mortality rate after critical incidents other than cardiac arrest such as severe hypotension and severe hypoxemia was 3.48, and of them 0.03 was due to AM, 0.18 due to IP, 2.45 due to PC and 0.81 due to SG. The final mortality rate attributable to anesthesia/surgery including deaths after cardiac arrest and after other critical incidents was 7.00 per 10,000 anesthetics and very close to 7.18 [6.22, 8.13], that of mean [95%C.I.] in 1994-1998, and 7.19 in 1999. The final mortality rate totally attributable to AM was 0.10 per 10,000 anesthetics, which was significantly improved from 0.21 [0.15, 0.27], that of mean [95%C.I.] in 1994-1998, but not different from 0.13 in 1999. IP, PC and SG showed the final mortality rate of 0.56, 4.69 and 1.57, respectively. Five major causes of all critical incidents were massive hemorrhage due to surgical procedures (13.8%), preoperative hemorrhagic shock (13.1%), surgical technique (8.6%), inappropriate airway management (6.2%) and preoperative respiratory complication (5.7%). Drug overdose or wrong choice (2.7%) as a human error occupied the 10th. In conclusion, the obtained incidences as to death, other critical incidents and their outcomes as well as the occurrence of principal causes in 2000 study were remarkably close to those in 1999 study. We expect that this second series of annual studies for five-years should reveal precise and definite direction for us to reduce anesthesia-related mortality and morbidity.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2002

[Induced hypotension for endoscopic sinus surgery].

The purpose of the present investigation is to examine whether induced hypotension can improve the dryness of the surgical field in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). ASA physical status I and II adult patients with chronic sinutitis undergoing ESS were studied. All patients were not premedicated. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl. The patients were allocated randomly into two groups. In patients of Group C, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was maintained around 80 mmHg. In Group H, sodium nitroprusside was infused to maintain controlled hypotension with MAP around 60 mmHg. Blood loss, dryness of the surgical field, volume of fluid infusion and urine output, and surgical as well as anesthetic time were compared. Blood loss and dryness of the surgical field were significantly different between the groups. Volume of infused fluid, urine output, and surgical as well as anesthetic time were not significantly different. Induced hypotension with sodium nitroprusside improved surgical conditions and decreased blood loss in ESS.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Intraoperative awareness during propofol anesthesia with epidural anesthesia].

This report describes a case of awareness and recall during propofol anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia in a 32-year-old woman scheduled for a resection of left ovarian tumor. After induction, anesthesia was maintained with propofol and epidural anesthesia. About one hour into maintenance, the patient was moving with haemodynamic signs suggesting inadequate analgesia. Immediately after extubation, the patient could recall the abdomen being touched during laparotomy. This case indicates that even if appropriate dose of propofol is administrated, intraoperative awareness may occur especially with inadequate analgesia.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Perioperative mortality and morbidity in the year 2000 in 520 certified training hospitals of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists: with a special reference to age--report of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Operating Room Safety].

Perioperative mortality and morbidity in Japan for the year 2000 were studied retrospectively. Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) sent confidential questionnaires to 794 Certified Training Hospitals of JSA and received answers from 67.6% of the hospitals. We analyzed their answers with a special reference to the age group. The total number of anesthetics available for this analysis was 910,757. All cases were divided into 7 age groups; group A (< 1 months), group B (< 12 months), group C (< 5 years), group D (< 18 years), group E (< 65 years), group F (< 85 years), and group G (> 85 years). The incidences of all critical events including cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, and severe hypoxemia were 70.04, 42.06, 17.79, 15.57, 21.14, 39.66, and 44.65 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The overall mortality rates (death during anesthesia and within 7th postoperative day) were 26.94, 5.91, 1.88, 2.57, 5.23, 11.98, and 17.50 per 10,000 anesthetics in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidences of cardiac arrest were 28.29, 8.54, 3.56, 2.57, 5.08, 10.27, and 11.47 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The mortality rates after cardiac arrest were 18.86, 4.60, 1.26, 1.57, 2.77, 5.50, and 6.64 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidence of all critical events, the incidence of cardiac arrest, and the overall mortality rate were much higher in group A than in other groups, but much lower than those in 1999. The incidences of all critical events and the mortality rate after cardiac arrest were lowest in group C. Mortality and morbidity due to all kinds of causes including anesthetic management, intraoperative events, co-existing diseases, and operation were as follows. The incidences of all critical events attributable to co-existing disease were the highest in these four groups, and 32.33, 13.80, 5.86, 4.43, 7.50, 15.34, and 21.72 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidences of all critical events attributable to anesthetic management were 13.47, 16.43, 6.28, 3.86, 4.08, 6.87, and 6.64 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidence of cardiac arrest in group A was much more attributable to co-existing disease and operation than other causes. The incidences of cardiac arrest attributable to anesthetic management were 0.00, 1.97, 0.63, 0.29, 0.38, 0.74, and 1.81 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. Its mortality rate in each group was 0.00, 0.00, 0.21, 0.14, 0.06, 0.04, or 0.00. There were eleven cases of death or vegetative state due to anesthetic management, like improper management of airway and overdose of anesthetics. Some of them were preventable with the anesthesiologists' effort in protocol development and skilled assistance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Post-flood--infectious diseases in Mozambique.

INTRODUCTION: The types of medical care required during a disaster are determined by variables such as the cycle and nature of the disaster. Following a flood, there exists the potential for transmission of water-borne diseases and for increased levels of endemic illnesses such as vector-borne diseases. Therefore, consideration of the situation of infectious diseases must be addressed when providing relief. The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team was sent to Mozambique where a flood disaster occurred during January to March 2000. The team operated in the Hokwe area of the State of Gaza, in the mid-south of Mozambique where damage was the greatest. METHODS: An epidemiological study was conducted. Information was collected from medical records by abstracting data at local medical facilities, interviewing in habitants and evacuees, and conducting analyses of water. RESULTS: A total of 2,611 patients received medical care during the nine days. Infectious diseases were detected in 85% of all of patients, predominantly malaria, respiratory infectious diseases, and diarrhea. There was no outbreak of cholera or dysentery. Self-reports of the level of health decreased among the flood victims after the event. The incidence of malaria increased by four to five times over non-disaster periods, and the quality of drinking water deteriorated after the event. CONCLUSIONS: Both the number of patients and the incidence of endemic infectious diseases, such as malaria and diarrhea, increased following the flood. Also, there was a heightening of risk factors for infectious diseases such as an increase in population, deterioration of physical strength due to the shortage of food and the temporary living conditions for safety purposes, and turbid degeneration of drinking water. These findings support the hypotheses that there exists the potential for the increased transmission of water borne diseases and that there occurs increased levels of endemic illnesses during the post-flood period.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Panel 2.5: mass-casualty management and hospital care.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.5, Mass-Casualty Management and Hospital Care of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization in Phuket, Thailand, 04-06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to mass-casualty management and hospital care as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) key questions; (2) recommendations; and (3) conclusions. Subsections of the conclusion section include: (1) lessons learned; (2) what was done well?; and (3) what could have been done better?.

Disasters↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanical effects of leg position on vertebral structures examined by magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leg manipulation has been postulated to affect spinal curvature and position of the cauda equina within the dural sac. However, no evidence of such mechanical effects has been shown in living subjects. We used magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the mechanical effects of leg position on these 2 parameters. METHODS: Sagittal and axial magnetic resonance images of the lumbosacral vertebral canal were obtained in 5 healthy, female volunteers with the subject in the supine position with knees straight, knees slightly flexed, and knees fully flexed. RESULTS: In the straight leg position, physiologic lumbar lordosis was evident in all subjects on midline sagittal slices, whereas lumbar lordosis disappeared in the fully flexed leg position. On the axial slices the cauda equina moved ventrally within the dural sac in all subjects in the fully flexed leg position. In 1 of the 5 subjects the cauda equina moved ventrally and also separated completely into right and left parts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that 2 potential factors, flattening of the lumbar lordosis and some added tension on the lumbosacral nerve roots, may contribute to postoperative back and leg aching after spinal anesthesia in the lithotomy position.

Adult↗