title: Alkalinized bupivacaine and adrenaline for epidural caesarean section. A comparison with 0.5% bupivacaine.
abstract: Twenty-four mothers received either 0.5% bupivacaine (group 1, n = 14), or alkalinized 0.5% bupivacaine and 1 in 200,000 adrenaline (group 2, n = 10), as an epidural local anaesthetic for elective lower segment Caesarean section in a randomised, double blind study. The two groups were prepared for surgery according to an identical technique. Onset of analgesia to pinprick was significantly faster in group 2 (p less than 0.02). Group 1 required additional analgesia during surgery significantly more often than those in group 2 (p = 0.04). Significantly more patients in group 2 were ready for surgery by the time limit for the study (45 minutes, p = 0.002). Onset of motor blockade was significantly faster in group 2 (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to duration of surgery, or Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. Alkalinized 0.5% bupivacaine and adrenaline was superior to 0.5% bupivacaine for epidural Caesarean section.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Maternity Hospital.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tackley
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coe
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine; D004837:Epinephrine