Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) are used increasingly to monitor the integrity of neural pathways in anesthetized patients. To evaluate the effect of epidural anesthesia on the central nervous system, we studied the effects of lumbar epidural anesthesia with lidocaine on the ABR in 10 patients. The seven peak latencies (waves I-VII) and amplitudes (waves I-VII) of the ABR were recorded before and 15 min after epidural anesthesia. Peak latencies of waves III, IV, V, VI, VII increased after epidural anesthesia compared with control values. Amplitude of waves II only decreased significantly following epidural anesthesia compared with control values. We further compared the interpeak latencies to investigate the brainstem transmission. Interpeak latencies (I-II, II-III, III-IV, IV-V, V-VI, VI-VII) were unchanged from the control values except waves VI-VII interval. Interpeak latencies of every second peak (II-IV, IV-VI, V-VII), of every third peak (II-V, III-VI, IV-VII), of every forth peak (I-VI, II-VII), of every fifth peak (I-VII) increased after epidural anesthesia compared with control values. The data obtained in the study demonstrated that lumbar epidural anesthesia with lidocaine prolonged the interpeak latencies of ABR. Considering that the waves of ABR are related to anatomically distinct sites in the auditory pathway (I; Acoustic nerve, II; Cochlear nucleus, III; Superior olivary complex, IV; Lateral lemniscus, V; Inferior colliculus, VI: Medial geniculate body, VII; Auditory radiation), the delay in the latencies of ABR seems to be present in the time intervals which involve more than two or three synaptic transmissions.