Feasibility of Thoracic Segmental Spinal as a Sole Anaesthetic Technique in Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Procedures in Non-operating Room Anaesthesia Settings

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), generally conducted on the basis of non-operating room anaesthesia, poses unique challenges to the onco-anaesthesiologists because of its location logistics, limited resources and multiple co-morbidities that the patients frequently present with. Providing general anaesthesia or total intravenous anaesthesia to such patients might be a risky option. Keeping in mind these potential hazards, several research studies have been undertaken in recent times to explore the possible alternatives. However, even after an extensive literature search, very little is available on the feasibility and potential outcomes of thoracic segmental spinal anaesthesia (TSSA) in these patients. This case series was conducted as a multicentric approach aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and clinical outcomes of T7-T8 level TSSA in optimised elective PTBD patients.