Epidural Anesthesia With Chloroprocaine Versus Lidocaine

Low Epidural Anesthesia With Chloroprocaine Versus Lidocaine: a Prospective, Randomized, Double-blinded Multi-centre Clinical Trial in China

Chinese made chloroprocaine has a rapid onset time, effective methodology, can last for a short time, provides fast motor recovery and causes no significant side effects.

Chloroprocaine hydrochloride is the chloridized local anesthetic of procaine hydrochloride, with twice the anesthetic intensity, four to five times the metabolization and half the side effect of procaine. The chloroprocaine hydrochloride product made in China has been on sale since 2002. To determine the clinical efficacy of low-epidural anesthesia with chloroprocaine versus lidocaine, the investigators carried out a prospective, randomized, double-blinded multi-centre clinical trial. The results demonstrate that epidural anesthesia using chloroprocaine has a more rapid onset time and shorter duration than with lidocaine. It can also provide a reliable sensory and motor block in epidural anesthesia, and is thus a more attractive alternative than lidocaine for middle and short duration surgical procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Weight no more than 80 Kg or not more than 20% of normal weight
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I or II
• No obstacles in thinking or language communication
• No epidural puncture contraindications such as disturbances of blood coagulation, local infection of the puncture site or use of anticoagulants

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
• Serious heart, liver, renal and metabolic diseases
• Cerebral thrombosis and sequela
• Serious dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
• Neuromuscular diseases
• Pregnant or parturient women
• Abnormal liver and kidney function