Alkalinization of mepivacaine does not alter onset of caudal anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of alkalinization of mepivacaine on onset of caudal anesthesia.

DESIGN

Randomized, blind study.

SETTING

Colon-Rectal Surgery Service of the Tertiary Center at Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

PATIENTS

Young, healthy adults undergoing anal surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Addition of bicarbonate (study group) or saline (control group) to mepivacaine.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

At the onset of sacral anesthesia, demographics were measured. A slightly faster onset was found in the study group (4.28 vs. 6.08 minutes), but this was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Alkalinization of mepivacaine does not significantly accelerate the onset of caudal anesthesia.