PHARMACOKINETICS OF LIGNOCAINE IN CHILDREN FOLLOWING CAUDAL ANAESTHESIA

Abstract
The time course of the plasma lignocaine concentration, following caudal anaesthesia, was studied in 11 healthy children (3.5–9 yr). Plasma lignocaine concentrations were measured for up to 6 h after administration (5 mg kg−1). Peak plasma concentration was 2.05+0.08 μ ml−1 and occurred at 28.2±2.9 min after administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined from a two-compartmental model were similar to those observed after the i.v. or extradural administration of lignocaine in adults, except for a longer half-life of elimination (155±32 min). Since the total body clearance of lignocaine was similar in children (15.4±1.2 ml min−1 kg−1) to that in adults, the longer half-life of elimination was attributed to a larger volume of distribution in the children (3.05 ±0.40 litre kg−1).

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