Abstract

We investigated the effects of a twofold difference in concentration and volume of lidocaine on lumbar epidural block using a cutaneous current perception threshold (CPT) quantitative sensory testing device. Twenty ASA I patients scheduled for elective gynecological surgery were randomly divided into two equal groups to receive either 20 mL of 1% lidocaine or 10 mL of 2% lidocaine through an epidural catheter inserted at the L1-2 interspace. CPTs at 2000-, 250-, and 5-Hz stimulation and sensation to light touch, temperature, and pinprick at ipsilateral dermatomes V, T9, and L2 were measured before and every 5 min until 60 min after the epidural lidocaine. Epidural anesthesia with both solutions produced a significant increase in all CPTs at dermatomes T9 and L2. Alterations in CPTs were similar for both groups at T9 but were significantly greater in patients given 2% lidocaine than in those given 1% lidocaine at L2. There were no differences in the upper level of sensory block to cold, pinprick, and touch between the two groups. We conclude that lumbar epidural anesthesia with 10 mL of 2% lidocaine produces more intense blockade of both large- and small-diameter sensory nerve fibers than that with 20 mL of 1% lidocaine. The effects of local anesthetic concentration and volume on the quality of epidural anesthesia have not been adequately investigated. The results of the present study suggest that the concentration affects the intensity of sensory block during epidural anesthesia with lidocaine.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.