THE USE OF 0.25-PERCENT LIDOCAINE WITH FENTANYL AND PANCURONIUM FOR INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANESTHESIA

The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of fentanyl and pancuronium combined with dilute lidocaine solution for intravenous re gional anesthesia of the arm. Forty adult patients undergoing upper li mb surgery were randomly allocated to receive either 0.6 mL/kg of 0.5% lidocaine (3 mg/kg) or 0.6 mL/kg of 0.25% lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) with 1 mu g/kg of fentanyl and 0.5 mg Of pancuronium. The onset of sensory and motor blocks was significantly shorter in the 0.5% lidocaine group (P < 0.05). However, no differences in analgesia or motor blockade we re found between the two groups at 20 min tourniquet time. Regional an esthesia was considered successful in more than 85% of patients. One p atient in the 0.25% lidocaine group experienced a transient diplopia a fter tourniquet release. Postoperative analgesia time was similar in t he two groups. We conclude that the addition of fentanyl plus pancuron ium to the lidocaine solution reduces the dose of the local anesthetic and possibly systemic toxicity.