Reactions 857 - 23 Jun 2001

Bupivacaine

Transient neurological symptoms: case reportA 29-year-old woman, who was undergoing hysteroscopy

and dilatation and curettage, experienced transientneurological symptoms (TNS) after she received spinalanaesthesia with bupivacaine.

Sensory T5 blockade was achieved using 1.5ml ofhyperbaric bupivacaine 0.75% to which epinephrine[adrenaline] was added. Surgery, which took 45 minutes, andinitial recovery from anaesthesia were uneventful, and thewoman was discharged home. The next day, she developedpain in her lower back and buttocks. The pain was bilateral,severe and shooting, and radiated to her posterior thighs, legsand heels. It was also more severe on her right side, andworsened when she walked.

The woman was treated with ibuprofen and rest. Her paingradually improved, and completely resolved within 5 days.

Author comment: ‘If TNS does occur, the patient should bereassured that this is a self-limiting symptom.’Farid I, et al. Bupivacaine induces transient neurologic symptoms TNS aftersubarachnoid block. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 26 (Suppl.): 40, Mar-Apr 2001 - USA 800865735

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Reactions 23 Jun 2001 No. 8570114-9954/10/0857-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved