pH-Adjustment of 2-chloroprocaine quickens the onset of epidural anaesthesia The effect of pH.adjustment of three per cent 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP , Nesacaine MPF | on the onset, duration, and spread of epidural analgesia and anaesthesia was studied in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery. Forty ASA physical status l and II patients were randomized to two groups. In a doubleblinded fashion, patients in both groups received an epidural injection of 15 ml of local anaesthetic (I.A) solution via a Tuohy needle at the Lj_4 interspace. Local anaesthesia for Group I was prepared by adding 3 mEqNaHC03 to 27 ml threeper cent 2-CP and for Group II was prepared by adding 3 ml O.9 per cent NaCl to 27 ml three per cent 2.CP. Both solutions contained epinephrine (1:200,000). The pH of commercially prepared Nesacaine MPF | was 3.19 +-0.02. The pH of the solutions used for Group l and Group H patients were 7.32 +-O.01and 3.2 7 +-0.02, respectively. Times to analgesia and anaesthesia at the 1,2 dermatome were significantly decreased in Group l patients by 2.5 and 6.6 minutes, respectively. Likewise, pH-adjustment accelerated the attainment of maximum level of block by 2.8 rain. No statistical differences were found between groups in the maximum level of epidural block, or in time to 2-segment regression. No precipitation of LA was observed in pH-adjusted
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