Comparison of lidocaine, lidocaine+fentanyl and lidocaine+atracurium combinations in intravenous regional anaesthesia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic and systemic adverse effects of regional intravenous anaesthesia (İVRA) with lidocaine alone or in combination with opioid or muscle relaxant. Sixty patients were divided to three equal (n:20) groups. Group L received 1% lidocaine 0.5 mL/kg, Group LF received 0.5% lidocaine 0.5 mL/kg+fentanyl 1 ?g/kg, and Group LA received 0.5% lidocaine 0.5 mL/kg+atracurium 2.5 mg. Pulse rate, mean arteriel blood pressure, respiratory rate, peripheric oxygen saturation were observed 30 minutes intraoperatively and 15 minutes postoperatively. Six patients both in Group L and LF, 12 patients in Group LA showed decrease in pulse rate over 10 beats per minute. Decrease in mean arteriel blood pressure of over20 % was only seen in Group LA. Postoperative side effects specially dizziness and tinnitus were statistically higher in Group L than the other groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, although hemodynamic and respiratory problems are similar in all study groups, the incidence of adverse effects are higher in the 1% lidocaine group (p<0.05).