Spinal anesthesia: a safe alternative for high-risk pulmonary patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery

This case report details the successful management of a 58-year-old male patient with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sarcoidosis, who required lumbar spine surgery for a cranial-translocated disc sequestration at the L4/5 level. Due to the patient's significant pulmonary risk, spinal anesthesia (SPA) was selected to minimize the potential respiratory complications typically associated with general anesthesia. The procedure was successful, resulting in the complete alleviation of lumbosciatic pain without any notable complications. This case highlights the efficacy and safety of SPA in patients with high pulmonary risk, emphasizing its advantages such as reduced intraoperative blood loss, fewer postoperative complications, and enhanced postoperative recovery.