A patient scheduled for upper abdominal surgery labeled as ASA 3 or 4 due to their respiratory ailment can be challenging for anesthetist and such cases often require post-operatively admission in intensive care unit (ICU) for ventilation, and thereby subjected to all risks associated with ICU admission. We present a case report where we used thoracic segmental anesthesia as an effective alternative to general anesthesia for upper abdominal surgery in a patient suffering from COPD.
Thoracic segmental spinal anesthesia; COPD; Upper abdominal surgery