LEG AND BACK PAIN AFTER SPINAL-ANESTHESIA INVOLVING HYPERBARIC 5-PERCENT LIGNOCAINE

Fifty-four patients, aged 27-90 years, who were given lignocaine 5% in 6.8% glucose solution for spinal anaesthesia were studied. Thirteen o f these patients experienced pain in the legs and/or back after recove ry from anaesthesia. The patients affected were younger (p < 0.05) and the site of the dural puncture was higher (p < 0.01) than those indiv iduals without pain. Five of the 13 patients (38%) with pain and seven of the 41 patients (17%) without pain admitted to a high alcohol inta ke, which might be contributing factor. Leg and/or back pain is associ ated with the intrathecal use of hyperbaric 5% lignocaine.