Transient neurologic symptoms after spinal anesthesia with lidocaine in obstetric patients

We investigated the relationship between intrathecal lidocaine and transien t neurologic symptoms in the obstetric population because lidocaine spinal anesthetics are commonly used for various obstetric procedures, and little has been reported in this regard from within this population. In this study , 58 ASA physical status I patients presenting for postpartum bilateral tub al ligation under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either hyper baric 5% lidocaine or 0.75% bupivacaine in a double-blinded manner. All pat ients were in the supine position for their surgery. Postoperatively, all p atients were followed by a blinded investigator using a standardized sympto m checklist. The incidence of transient neurologic symptoms with lidocaine was 3% (95% confidence interval = 0.1%-17.8%) and that with bupivacaine was 7% (95% confidence interval = 0.9%-23.5%),(P = not significant). Symptoms consistent with this syndrome occurred within 24 h without any associated s ensory or motor deficits or functional impairment, and resolved within 48 h without any intervention.