OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency and safety of the cervical epidural blockade (CEB) in upper extremity surgery, using lidocaine 2%, bupivacaine 5% and a mixture of both local analgesics.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Eighty five patients were submitted to upper limb surgery under CEB. They were assigned into one of three groups: group I received 100 mg of 2% lidocaine; group II received 30 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine, and group III received a mixture of 60 mg of 2% lidocaine and 15 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine. We evaluated their effects on vital signs, blockade quality, adverse effects, and patient comfort.
RESULTS
Anesthesiologist and surgeon evaluated the technique as "good" in 80% of the patients. Significant differences were found for motor blockade. Group II developed complete motor block (100%). Observed adverse effects were vomiting in groups II and III and dural puncture was present in 6.7% of the cases in group II.
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the safety of cervical epidural anesthesia for upper limb surgery using three different formulations of local anesthetics.