A similar incidence of transient neurologic symptoms after spinal anesthesia with 2% and 5% lidocaine.
Recent reports suggest that transient neurologic symptoms are common after spinal anesthesia with 5% lidocaine. To determine whether reducing the anesthetic concentration might decrease the incidence of symptoms, 50 ASA class I or II patients undergoing brief gynecologic procedures under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive 1 mg/kg of either 5% or 2% lidocaine in 7.5% glucose. Patients were evaluated on the first postoperative day by an anesthesiologist who was unaware of the solution administered or the details of the anesthetic procedure. Symptoms suggestive of transient radicular irritation were observed in 8 patients (32%) receiving 5% lidocaine, and in 10 patients (40%) receiving 2% lidocaine (NS). These results confirm our previous findings that transient neurologic symptoms may occur in up to one third of the patients receiving 5% lidocaine, and indicate that a modest reduction in lidocaine concentration does not reduce risk.
Department of Anesthesia, University of Basel/Kantonsspital, Switzerland. hamplk@ubaclu.unibas.ch
K F
KF
Hampl
M C
MC
Schneider
H
H
Pargger
J
J
Gut
J
J
Drewe
K
K
Drasner
D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine