Role of spinal anesthesia in the endoscopic treatment of distal, middle, and proximal ureter stones

Sympathetic fibers of the ureter arise between 10th thoracic and 2nd lumbar segments. Nociceptive fibers reach the same segments via sympathetic pathways. An effective neural block of these segments is necessary to achieve adequate analgesia and anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia is performed successfully in endoscopic ureter stone operations as an alternative to general or epidural anesthesia with a fast onset of effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy (URS) under spinal anesthesia so as to determine patient profile and anesthesia management according to the localization of stones.