Delayed subdural block after spinal anesthesia for transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) - a case report

A subdural block is a rare complication of spinal anesthesia, and its symptoms usually develop within 30 minutes. We present the case presumed to be delayed onset of subdural block occurring one hour and 40 minutes after normal onset spinal anesthesia. A 52-year-old female patient underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor. Ten minutes after spinal anaethesia, the sensory block reached the T12 sensory dermatome level and surgery was uneventful. One hour and 40 minutes after spinal anesthesia, the patient complained of a tingling sensation and numbness in both hands at her ward. Gradually, the numbness went up to the neck, and the motor function of both upper extremities decreased. Nearly 3 h after spinal anesthesia, the patient’s symptoms started to improve and were restored 4 h after spinal anesthesia. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the possibility of unusually delayed onset of subdural block after normal-onset spinal anesthesia.