International anesthesiology clinics
-
Lidocaine, tetracaine, and bupivacaine are the local anesthetic agents most commonly employed for spinal anesthesia in the U. S. Lidocaine provides a short duration of anesthesia and is primarily useful for surgical and obstetrical procedures lasting less than one hour. ⋯ Lidocaine and bupivacaine do not appear to benefit as much from the addition of vasoconstrictors. In general, the local anesthetic agents that are currently available for spinal anesthesia provide significant versatility. By carefully considering the planned surgical procedure, the surgeon's requirements, and the patient's characteristics (e.g., age, height, gravidity), and by understanding the factors that influence spinal anesthesia, the anesthesiologist can select a local anesthetic agent that will assure adequate and satisfying spinal anesthesia.