Impairment of Postural Stability Following Perivascular Axillary Block with Mepivacaine

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Abstract
Perivascular axillary block was performed on 10 patients using a catheter technique. All patients received a standard dose of 50 ml mepivacaine 1% with adrenaline [epinephrine] 1:200,000. Using a quantitative Romberg-test performed on a computerized force-plate system, postural stability was tested before and 40 min after the local anesthesia. There was a significant increase in body-sway following axillary block (P < 0.01). Out of 10 patients 9 had an increased sway-tendency, an average of 31%. A proportionate increase in postural imbalance was found in normal persons after alcohol consumption, when blood levels were 0.8 mg/ml.