Perfusion of the subarachnoid space in cadavers: a technique applicable for prevention of paraplegia in surgery of the thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND: No safe technique of subarachnoid perfusion during thoracoabdominal aneurysm surgery has been described. We tested the hypothesis that in cold cadavers, perfusion of the subarachnoid space at the lumbar level with warm solution is feasible and increases the temperature at the thoracic level without an increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. METHODS: Six cadavers were used. A 5 Fr silastic catheter in the subarachnoid space …