Authors: Van Elstraete, A. C.¹; Pastureau, F.¹; Lebrun, T.¹; Mehdaoui, H.²

Source: European Journal of Anaesthesiology, Volume 18, Number 4, April 2001 , pp. 257-260(4)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary Background and objective 

We have assessed the analgesic efficacy and side-effects of neostigmine when added to lidocaine for axillary brachial plexus block, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Methods 

We studied 34 ASA I or II patients undergoing elective ambulatory carpal tunnel release. Axillary brachial plexus block was performed using a peripheral nerve stimulator to locate the median nerve. All patients were administered 1.5% lidocaine 450 mg and epinephrine 5 µg mL⁻¹. Patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups. Neostigmine 500 µg was added in group N, and saline 1 mL in group S. Results

The duration of analgesia did not significantly differ between groups [mean (SD)]: 812.5 (456.9) for group S vs. 746.7 (474.1) min for group N (P > 0.05). The need for supplementary analgesia did not significantly differ between groups: 4.4 (1.5) extra doses for group S vs. 3.8 (2.2) extra doses for group N (P > 0.05). Visual analogue pain scores and occurrence of side-effects did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion

Neostigmine does not seem to be of clinical value for peripheral nerve blocks.

Keywords: analgesia; postoperative; anaesthetic techniques; brachial plexus block; sympathetic nervous system; pharmacology; neostigmine

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.0265-0215.2000.00812.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anaesthesiology, Saint-Paul Medical Center and 2: Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital, Fort-de-France, Martinique, France

Publication date: 2001-04-01

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