Reactions 389 - 22 Feb 1992

Bupivacaine

Horner’s syndrome: case reportA droopy eyelid was reported by a 43-year-old woman about

2 hours after anterior capsulectomy of the right elbow. Duringthe procedure bupivacaine was administered via an axillarycatheter and it was continued for postoperative painmanagement.

Examination showed right eye ptosis, miosis, anhydrosis,conjunctival injection and right-sided nasal congestion.Horner’s syndrome was diagnosed. Bupivacaine wasdiscontinued for a short time but was reintroduced as thepatient’s condition was expected to be transient. Horner’ssyndrome resolved spontanteously within 48 hours, despitecontinued therapy.

Future patients should be warned of the possibledevelopment of Horner’s syndrome and reassured of thetransient nature of this adverse effect Horner’s syndrome ’...should not hinder the use of the axillary catheter forpostoperative pain management’Horner’s syndrome associated with brachial plexus anesthesia using an axillarycatheter. Anesthesia and Analgesia 74: 311, Feb 1992 - USA 800119759

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Reactions 22 Feb 1992 No. 3890114-9954/10/0389-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved