Articles: anesthetics.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 1988
Comparative StudyNeonatal neurobehavior after epidural anesthesia for cesarean section: a comparison of bupivacaine and chloroprocaine.
Reports of whether or not bupivacaine affects neonatal neurobehavior have been contradictory. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that scores on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) after epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine for cesarean section would not be different than those after chloroprocaine. Furthermore, if there were any effects, it was hypothesized that they would be related to cord blood levels of the drug. ⋯ The results indicate that infants in the bupivacaine group do significantly better than those in the chloroprocaine group in the orientation cluster of the BNBAS (F[1,49] = 22, P less than 0.001); this cluster reflects higher cortical functioning. Furthermore, there was improvement in the bupivacaine group in the regulation of state cluster with age, whereas there was no improvement in the chloroprocaine group (F[1,53] = 4.34, P less than 0.01). This study suggests that performance on the BNBAS after exposure to bupivacaine is better than that after exposure to chloroprocaine.
-
Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1988
Comparative StudyPathology of local anesthetic-induced nerve injury.
Nerve fiber injury and endoneurial edema were induced by the injection of the local anesthetic 2-chloroprocaine, tetracaine, procaine, etidocaine or mepivacaine into the soft tissue and fascia surrounding the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats. Light microscopy demonstrated that the perineurial barrier was not mechanically damaged by the surgical procedure but, at 48 h post-injection, perineurial permeability was increased. Previous observations of leakage of horseradish peroxidase and the present report of neutrophils and eosinophils in the endoneurium indicate a disruption of blood-nerve barrier systems. ⋯ Axonal degeneration and demyelination occurred; the latter associated with accumulation of large lipid droplets in Schwann cells. Degranulation of mast cells, proliferation of fibroblasts and macrophage activity were noteworthy in affected areas. The findings are remarkable in that this is the first model of endoneurial edema by a neurotoxin which penetrates the perineurium, disrupting barrier system and inducing nerve fiber injury.
-
The toxicity of local anesthetic agents can be divided into two categories: (1) systemic toxic reactions due usually to an accidental intravascular injection and (2) local tissue toxicity. The systemic toxicity of local anesthetic agents is primarily characterized by CNS excitation and convulsive activity. The cardiovascular system is more resistant to the toxic actions of local anesthetics. ⋯ However, large doses of chloroprocaine solutions administered intrathecally have been associated with prolonged sensory-motor deficits in a few patients due probably to the low pH and presence of sodium bisulfite in the chloroprocaine solutions. In general, local anesthetic agents are relatively safe if administered properly. However, as with any pharmacological agents, local anesthetics may cause severe toxic reactions due to the improper use of these drugs.
-
In regional anesthesia sudden and severe complications occur from time to time and may rapidly turn into life threatening situations. Their rarity might well be their most vicious characteristic. Therefore, awareness of the possible complications, careful preparation to cope with them, vigilance enabling prompt recognition of their occurrence and quick administration of the appropriate treatment are all essential for a safe practice of regional anesthesia. The routine use of pulse oximetry is now strongly recommended.