Effects of epidural needle rotation and different speeds of injection on the distribution of epidural block.

This prospective, randomised study examined the effect of injection speeds for unilateral epidural anesthesia on block characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and discharge criteria in 60 patients. Levobupivacaine 5% was administered to Group F over 1 min (fast) and to Group S over 3 min (slow) (n=30 each) with the needle angulated at 5°-10° from the midline. Unilateral epidural block was significantly more successful in Group S than in Group F (70.3% vs. 16%; p<0.001). On the non-operated sides in group S, the maximal sensorial block time was shorter and the regression time for 2 segments was longer (p<0.05). And the walk-out time was longer in group F (p<0.05). We consider that the slow administration of local anesthetic in unilateral epidural anesthesia is more effective than rapid administration.