Spinal phobia: Survey results of patient attitudes and preferences regarding anesthesia

Study Objective: To determine unbiased patient preferences for either spinal or general anesthesia for upcoming surgeries. Design: Prior to contact with anesthesia personnel, a simple questionnaire was completed by surgical patients to determine their demographic characteristics and previous anesthetic experiences. Their concerns regarding a list of complications of general and spinal anesthesia and their preferences for general or spinal anesthesia if either method could be used were also determined. Setting: University-affiliated suburban community hospital. Measurements and main results: The survey was completed by 254 patients. A preference for general over spinal anesthesia was expressed by 80.2% of the patients responding. They expressed significantly more concerns regarding nausea/vomiting, sore throat, feeling sleepy, and death with general anesthesia than with spinal anesthesia. Concerns of back pain, nerve damage and paralysis were statistically related to spinal anesthesia. Conclusions: This survey shows a strong patient preference for general anesthesia and a phobia for spinal anesthesia.