Handbook of Spinal Anesthesia
- 1st Edition - December 16, 2025
- Latest edition
- Editors: Craig D. Mcclain, Wesley Rajaleelan, Nandakumar Menon, Jithendranath Krishnan
- Language: English
Handbook of Spinal Anesthesia introduces the theoretical and practical aspects of administering spinal anesthesia. The book's chapters explore the anatomy of the spine and the m… Read more
Handbook of Spinal Anesthesia introduces the theoretical and practical aspects of administering spinal anesthesia. The book's chapters explore the anatomy of the spine and the mechanism of action of a neuraxial block, as well as the pharmacology of local anesthetics in this area. Sections also include guidance for assessing risks on a patient-by-patient basis and feature a range of administration techniques. Information on pre-operative patient care, patient monitoring and post-operative care is also included. The book considers complications and challenges in performing spinal anesthesia and closes with a chapter on recent advances in the field. This book acts as a comprehensive foundation to spinal anesthesia. It is an ideal reference for junior doctors, medical officers, and non-specialist physicians seeking a practical guide to performing spinal anesthesia.
- Delivers an overview of the fundamental aspects surrounding spinal anesthesia
- Considers the latest advances in the field
- Features medical illustrations throughout the book to aid in understanding
- Provides guidance to facilitate safe and effective surgical care of patients, especially in low-resource, rural settings
- Includes a chapter dedicated to performing spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients
Researchers and junior doctors including interns and medical students in anesthesia, Non-specialty trained physicians practicing spinal anesthesia, Policy makers in low- and middle-income countries
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Pharmacology
4. Patient selection
5. Pre-operative preparations
6. Technique of performing spinal anaesthesia
7. Patient monitoring
8. Post-operative care
9. Spinal anaesthesia in the obstetric patient
10. Spinal anesthesia in general surgery and specialties
11. Complications of spinal anaesthesia
12. Failed spinal anaesthesia
13. Challenges in performance of spinal blockade
14. Recent advances in spinal anesthesia
15. Conclusion
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Pharmacology
4. Patient selection
5. Pre-operative preparations
6. Technique of performing spinal anaesthesia
7. Patient monitoring
8. Post-operative care
9. Spinal anaesthesia in the obstetric patient
10. Spinal anesthesia in general surgery and specialties
11. Complications of spinal anaesthesia
12. Failed spinal anaesthesia
13. Challenges in performance of spinal blockade
14. Recent advances in spinal anesthesia
15. Conclusion
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: December 16, 2025
- Language: English
CM
Craig D. Mcclain
Dr McClain is a pediatric anesthesiologist who studies various aspects of neuroanesthesia in pediatric patients, including the implementation of novel technology. In addition, he has an interest in the practice of anesthesiology in the developing world. After completion of his fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology, he was recruited by the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston to fill a leadership role in the development of the world’s first intraoperative MRI OR in a pediatric hospital, where he is the principal investigator reviewing their initial experience with OR, in particular the impact this technology has on intraoperative decision making in pediatric neurosurgical patients.
Dr McClain is also interested in ethical issues involved in delivering care to patients in the developing world. He recently won an Excellence in Tutoring award from HMS for his outstanding work.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, USA.WR
Wesley Rajaleelan
Dr Rajaleelan graduated from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, with core expertise and special interests in Neuro, Regional & Thoracic Anaesthesiology and Lung Isolation techniques. As a resident he was awarded the Dr Prabhakar Vissa memorial gold medal for the best outgoing resident in 2012.
Having worked as a cardiac anesthesiologist in India, he underwent advanced clinical training fellowships in perioperative/regional anesthesia, advanced neuro anesthesia and simulation at the University of Toronto.
He’s currently involved with global health and humanitarian aid with the MSF & ICRC, and pursuing his masters in global health policy from the London school of hygiene & tropical medicine affiliated to the University of London.
Affiliations and expertise
Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, University of Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaNM
Nandakumar Menon
Dr. Nandakumar is a general surgeon who co-founded the ASHWINI Gudalur Adivasi Hospital, Gudalur, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India, and was its Director from 1990 to 2020. He is the recipient of the Paul Harrison Outstanding Alumnus Award 2005 from his alma mater CMC, Vellore, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery India 2016 Surgical Champion’s Award “Center of Excellence in Surgical Training”, the Humanitarian Award 2018 from the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the Steering Committee for the National Health Mission, Government of India.
Affiliations and expertise
Co-Founder and Former Director, ASHWINI Gudalur Adivasi Hospital, Tamil Nadu, IndiaJK
Jithendranath Krishnan
Jithendranath Krishnan currently works at Vinayaka Hospital, Sulthan Bathery, Kerala and Gudalur Adivasi Hospital, Gudalur,Tamil Nadu, India, providing anaesthesia for a range of surgeries including paediatrics surgery, general surgery, obstetric, gynecology, geriatric surgery and for general laparoscopic surgery. He was previously a Consultant Anesthesiologist at Doctors Hospital, Sulthan Bathery, Kerala, India from 1987-2010. He trained at the Harvard Medical School Simulation Lab for the Spinal Anesthesia Project of the Gudalur Adivasi Hospital, Gudalur, Tamil Nadu in 2019.
Affiliations and expertise
Consultant Anesthesiologist, Vinayaka Hospital, Kerala, India