Alkalinisation of prilocaine for intravenous regional anaesthesia

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Abstract
Ten volunteers underwent intravenous regional anaesthesia on two separate occasions using 40 ml prilocaine 0.5% to which was added 5 ml of either saline 0.9% or sodium bicarbonate 8.4%. Addition of sodium bicarbonate decreased the time of onset of loss of sharp touch and temperature sensations and of motor power. Time to full recovery of the arm was slower with the alkalinized solution and nine of the subjects preferred this block. The addition of sodium bicarbonate to prilocaine for intravenous regional anaesthesia may be clinically useful.