A single dose epidural technique for Caesarean section

1365-2044

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

An epidural technique based on a fractionated injection through a Tuohy needle of 20 ml over 10 minutes, was investigated in 40 mothers who underwent elective Caesarean section. Mothers were randomised to receive either 0.5% bupivacaine plain or 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 1:200 000. After a 2-ml test dose, the remaining 18 ml was injected over 5 minutes. The use of adrenaline did not significantly alter the onset or duration, but improved the efficacy of the epidural block. Mean time to onset of adequate surgical anaesthesia was 20 minutes. Only 10 patients required more than the initial 100 mg of bupivacaine. Epidural anaesthesia was supplemented in eight patients with nitrous oxide and/or intravenous opioids.

Electronic Resource