Sedation Using Virtual Reality During Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia

A Comparison of Patient Satisfaction Between Sedation Using Medication and Sedation Using Virtual Reality During Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

During spinal anesthesia, sedation is performed using intravenous sedative for the patient's comfort and appropriate surgical environment. However, side effects of medications such as respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia and desaturation cannot be avoided. Recently, there have been developed a virtual reality experience equipment and a variety of virtual reality programs including visuo-haptic computer technology. There have been clinical studies that apply this technology to the pain medicine, sedation and medical education. However, no study has been reported for the purpose of replacing sedation during spinal anesthesia.

Therefore, we attempt to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedation using virtual reality meditation program during spinal anesthesia for urologic surgery.

During spinal anesthesia, sedation is performed using intravenous sedative for the patient's comfort and appropriate surgical environment. However, side effects of medications such as respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia and desaturation cannot be avoided. Recently, there have been developed a virtual reality experience equipment and a variety of virtual reality programs including visuo-haptic computer technology. There have been clinical studies that apply this technology to the pain medicine, sedation and medical education. However, no study has been reported for the purpose of replacing sedation during spinal anesthesia.

Therefore, we attempt to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedation using virtual reality meditation program during spinal anesthesia for urologic surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for urologic surgeries including Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate or TransUrethral Resection of Bladder tumor).
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification 1, 2 or 3.
• Patients who voluntarily decides to participate in the trial and has given informed consent to this trial

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of chronic use of sedative, narcotics, alcohol or drug abuse
• Baseline oxygen saturation < 90%
• Baseline hemodynamic or respiratory instability (initial systolic blood pressure < 80 mmHg, respiratory rate > 25 breaths/min or < 10 breaths/min)