TRANSIENT RADICULAR IRRITATION AFTER HYPERBARIC LIDOCAINE SPINAL-ANESTHESIA IN PARTURIENTS

Two cases of transient radicular irritation in pregnant patients are p resented, Both cases involve the combination of spinal anesthesia empl oying hyperbaric 5% lidocaine and a small gauge pencilpoint needle as well as the surgery being performed in the lithotomy position. We reco mmend that until the potential for lidocaine-induced neuroradicular ir ritation under these circumstances is evaluated prospectively, hyperba ric lidocaine should not be used for cases in which a small gauge spin al needle is employed and the patient is placed in the lithotomy posit ion.