Spinal anesthesia for thigh sebaceous cyst removal in a deaf-mute female patient

Abstract

Introduction: Anesthesia for the congenitally deaf/mute patients are complicated in the perioperative phase because deaf/mute patients have difficulties communicating regarding obtaining consent, understanding their level of anxiety and recognizing their discomfort/pain. Using techniques of regional anesthesia (for example, spinal), allows for continued communication with the patient, eliminates the need for manipulating the airways of the patient and provides for an improved quality of care to this population.

Case presentation: A 32-year-old female patient, who is deaf/mute, received excellent anesthesia care for an elective removal of a sebaceous cyst on her thigh. Communication between the patient and the staff was achieved using simple hand motions/gestures and the assistance of a family member acting as a translator before the surgery. The patient received spinal anesthesia with 2.5cc of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine at the L3-4 interspace, resulting in a sensory blockade to T10 allowing the surgeon to complete the operation without needing to administer sedation to the patient. During the time the patient underwent surgery, monitoring of the patient's non-verbal symptoms of pain/anxiety were assessed by the anesthesiologist. Post-operative recovery from the surgical procedure was uneventful with the sensory block resolving completely at 2.5 hours after the injection of the local anesthetic. There were no complications identified post-operatively or during the perioperative period.

Conclusion: The case study illustrates that spinal anesthesia can be safely administered and provide effective patient centered care for deaf/mute patients undergoing lower extremity surgeries. In order to provide an appropriate perioperative experience for deaf/mute patients, the anesthesiologist must develop communication skills that accommodate the individualized needs of the deaf/mute patient. Providing thorough education/communication to the patient and their families prior to the surgery and maintaining close attention to detail during the intraoperative period will result in a positive perioperative experience for these patients.

Keywords: Deaf-Mute Patient; Lower Extremity Surgery; Perioperative Management; Regional Anesthesia; Sebaceous Cyst; Spinal Anesthesia.

Citation: Aldobekhi FSS, Khatoon F. Spinal anesthesia for a 32-year-old female deaf-mute patient undergoing thigh sebaceous cyst removal. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2026;30(3):384-388. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v30i3.3182

Received: January 06, 2026; Revised: February 04, 2026; Accepted: February 08, 2026