Subarachnoid block with
local anesthetic agents is a well-established
anesthesia technique among pregnant females for labor
analgesia and cesarian delivery. Although it is considered a reliable and safe technique for both mothers and fetuses, unexpected high or low levels of block may occur due to accidental injection of these agents into different meningeal spaces other than intended.
Hypotension,
bradycardia,
headache, and failed
anesthesia are common complications of
spinal anesthesia. Though rare, neurological complications like
aphonia,
dysphagia, and tingling sensation have also been reported. The article reports a case of a 22-year-old primigravida who sustained transient
aphonia following intrathecal administration of
bupivacaine for an emergency cesarian section for meconium-stained liquor with
fetal distress. There were no other
neurological manifestations or features suggestive of high spinal block. The sensory level of the block was fixed to T6 with hemodynamic stability throughout
aphasia with an episode of
hypotension preceding
aphonia.
Aphonia commenced 9 min after the
spinal anesthesia continued for a total duration of 15 min. Neurological examination, relevant investigations, and consultations were done to make a diagnosis. Thus, it is important to be aware of the possible neurological complications associated with
spinal anesthesia.