SummaryThis case report illustrates the problems which may arise when an epidural block is used during an operation to correct a spinal deformity. In this case, the block was more profound and persistent than expected. This could have been due to spinal cord compression or to ischaemia following the correction with Harrington rods, so the rods had to be removed and re-inserted later, after the paraparesis had resolved

Lignocaine is widely used as a topical analgesic for the larynx and trachea prior to endotracheal intubation or bronchoscopy 1 ' 2.Prilocaine which was first described in 1959 3 has since been shown to be similar to lignocaine in its analgesic properties41 5 . Toxicity studies in animals have indicated that it is 40 % less toxic than lignocaine6. A drug which is less toxic than lignocaine but equally effective topically would be a considerable advantage, especially as drugs for topical application are usually used in high concentration.Two trials were therefore carried out to compare the effectiveness of lignocaine and prilocaine as topical analgesics. h.1 A T E R I A L SThe following solutions were used : 1 Physiological saline 2 2 % prilocaine 3 4% prilocaine 4 4 % lignocaine.

Lignocaine is widely used as a topical analgesic for the larynx and trachea prior to endotracheal intubation or bronchoscopy 1 ' 2. Prilocaine which was first described in 1959 3 has since been shown to be similar to lignocaine in its analgesic properties41 5. Toxicity studies in animals have indicated that it is 40 % less toxic than ligno-caine6. A drug which is less toxic than lignocaine but equally effective topically would be a considerable advantage, especially as drugs for topical application are usually used in high concentration. Two trials were therefore carried out to compare the effectiveness of lignocaine and prilocaine as topical analgesics. h.1 A T E R I A L S The following solutions were used : 1 Physiological saline 2 2 % prilocaine 3 4% prilocaine 4 4 % lignocaine.

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