Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T23:01:28.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of volume and concentration of lidocaine on epidural anaesthesia in pregnant females

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

M. Nakayama
Affiliation:
Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Japan
J. Yamamoto
Affiliation:
Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Japan
H. Ichinose
Affiliation:
Obihiro Kosei Hospital, Division of Anesthesia, Obihiro, Japan
S. Yamamoto
Affiliation:
Obihiro Kosei Hospital, Division of Anesthesia, Obihiro, Japan
N. Kanaya
Affiliation:
Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Japan
A. Namiki
Affiliation:
Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Japan
Get access

Abstract

Background and objective: The effects of altering the concentration of a local anaesthetic on the development of epidural anaesthesia in pregnant females are unclear. We compared the anaesthetic effects of a constant dose of two different concentrations of epidural lidocaine for Caesarean section.

Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, patients undergoing elective Caesarean section were randomized to receive either lidocaine 1% 30 mL (+epinephrine 5 μg mL−1) or lidocaine 2% 15 mL (+epinephrine 5 μg mL−1) (n = 20 each) for epidural anaesthesia at the L1-L2 interspace. The spread of the sensory block to pinprick and the degree of motor block (modified Bromage scale) were measured at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after injection.

Results: No significant differences in the progression of analgesia and motor block were observed at any time between 1 and 2% lidocaine. The maximum cephalad spread was observed 30 min after injection; the median was at T4 (range T3–T5) and at T4 (range T3–T6) for lidocaine 1 and 2%, respectively.

Conclusions: The same doses but different volumes of lidocaine 1 and 2% produced comparable anaesthetic effects in pregnant females. The effects of epidural anaesthesia depend primarily on the total dose of the local anaesthetic.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2002 European Society of Anaesthesiology

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)