The Spinal Anaesthetic Effects of Ephedrine Sulfate: A Preliminary Report

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Abstract
Fifty mg. of ephedrine sulfate in triple-distilled water was mixed with 1 ml. of spinal fluid and injected into the subdural space by lumbar puncture pver a period of 1-2 min. For 20 min. thereafter, patients were tested for loss of pin prick sensation and of anal sphincter tone. Effects were usually seen after 10 or more mins., and were most frequent in the region supplied by the 2d, 3d, and 4th sacral nerves. Some loss of sensation occurred as high as the 8th thoracic cutaneous segment. All of 15 patients tested showed some decrease of pin prick sensation, varying from slight hypesthesia to anesthesia. Anal sphincter tone was considerably decreased. There were no untoward systemic effects. In some cases, the ephedrine anesthesia was adequate for surgery without the addition of a standard agent. The anesthetic effect of ephedrine should be considered when adding this agent to spinal anesthetic mixtures.

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