SPINAL TAP

General Information

DEFINITION-Removal of spinal fluid from the spinal canal, either for laboratory analysis or prior to surgery with spinal anesthesia.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED-Skin; muscles; covering of spinal cord (meninges); vertebral column.

REASONS FOR SURGERY

• Diagnosis of disorders of the central nervous system that may involve the brain, spinal cord or their coverings.
• Injection of spinal anesthesia.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

• Recent or chronic illness.
• Alcoholism.
• Increased intracranial pressure due to any cause.
• Central nervous system infection.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES-General surgeon, family doctor, neurologist, neurosurgeon, anesthesiologist or internist.

WHERE PERFORMED-Hospital, outpatient surgical facility or emergency room.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: Blood and urine studies.
• During surgery: Pressure of spinal fluid measured with a manometer (See Glossary).
• After surgery: Laboratory examination of removed fluid.

ANESTHESIA-Local anesthesia by injection.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• The patient is positioned on his side with the knees drawn as close to the chest as possible.
• A hollow needle is inserted in the back between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae.
• The spinal canal is penetrated with the needle. Fluid pressure is measured and then fluid is removed.
• The surgical wound will heal by itself.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Surgical wound infection.
• Headaches (common during the first 24 hours after surgery).
• Meningitis (rare).

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY-Usually 6 to 24 hours in the surgical facility.

PROBABLE OUTCOME-Expect complete healing without complications.

Postoperative Care

GENERAL MEASURES--Moving the head and neck as little as possible for 12 hours after surgery helps prevent headache. Resume activity slowly.

† You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

ACTIVITY

• Avoid vigorous exercise for 2 weeks after surgery.
• Resume driving in 3 days after returning home.

DIET-No special diet. Increase fluid intake. This may prevent post-spinal--tap headaches.

Call Your Doctor If

† Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.

• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• You experience nausea or vomiting.