SummaryA paiient with an obstructed femoral hernia and intercurrent respiratory failure was successfully anaestheiised with a continuous spinal technique. The technique provided excellent intra-operative anaesthesia and early postoperative analgesia, whilst avoiding further respiraiory compromise. Disconnection of the catheter hub ,from the catheier prevented prolonged provision of postoperative analgesia by this route. Fixing of both the catheter and the hub to ihe paiient are advocaied io avoid this problem.