Optimal operative table height for anesthesiologist comfortability and successful spinal needle insertion

Background: In spinal anesthesia, anesthesiologists are insert the needle perpendicular to the patient’s back and horizontal to the floor [7, 8]. However, in the actual clinical setting, the vertical working level that enables operators to insert the needle at a right angle or within an acceptable angle with minimal effect on the back muscles and minimal discomfort is still unknown. Aim of the Study: To identify the optimal operative table height related to anesthesiologist to facilitate insertion of the spinal needle at optimal angle to reduce the musculoskeletal discomfort of the anesthesiologists and to improve the success rate during induction of spinal anesthesia. Patients and Methods: A comparative clinical trial that involves 40 patients whom given spinal anesthesia for elective surgery and consented to the research were recruited, and were divided into two groups equally according to the siteof needle insertion during induction in relation to anesthesiologist body (Group 1: umbilical level, 20 patients; Group 2: xiphisternum level, 20 patients). Results: There was no statistical significance between the to groups regarding the demographic data of both the patient and anesthesiologist, there was statistical significance of flexion angle (in neck,back,knee with p.value0.0001) and in pain score in group 2(xiphoid process level group). Conclusion: The anesthesiologist comfort was better with less pain score, and lower number of trails in xiphoid process level insertion site in related to the anesthesiologist.