Only preservative free medicines may be used.
Local anaesthetics are administered through a catheter inserted into the epidural space at a spinal level appropriate for the surgery.
Aspiration and a test dose (2–3 mL) of local anaesthetic should be given to confirm catheter not intravascular or intrathecal. Subsequent doses should be fractionated (3–5 mL boluses).
- Bupivacaine 0.5%.
- Onset ±10 minutes.
- Duration ±4 hours.
- Motor block is less with lower concentrations.
- Maximum dose 2 mg/kg.