Single-dose lidocaine spinal anesthesia in hip and knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: With the increasing interest in fast recovery and outpatient joint arthroplasty, short-acting local anesthetic agents and minimal narcotic use are preferred. Lidocaine is a fast-onset, short-duration local anesthetic that has been used for many years in spinal anesthesia. However, lidocaine spinal anesthesia has been reported to have a risk of transient neurologic symptoms (TNSs). The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of single-dose lidocaine spinal anesthesia in the setting of outpatient joint arthroplasty. Methods: We performed a prospective study on 50 patients who received lidocaine spinal anesthesia in the setting of outpatient hip and knee arthroplasty. All patients received a single-shot spinal injection, with 2% isobaric lidocaine along with titrated propofol sedation. We evaluated demographic data, length of motor blockage, time to ambulation, time to discharge readiness, patient-reported symptoms of TNS. Results: Of the 50 patients studied, 11 had total hip arthroplasty, 33 total knee arthroplasty, 5 unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, and 1 underwent isolated polyethylene liner exchange in a total knee arthroplasty. The average total duration of motor blockade was 2.89 hours (range 1.73-5.17, standard deviation 0.65). Average time from postanesthesia care unit to return of motor function was 0.58 hours (range 0-1.5, standard deviation 0.48). None of the patients reported TNS. Conclusions: Isobaric lidocaine spinal anesthesia appears to be a safe and effective regimen for outpatient hip and knee arthroplasty. All patients were discharged on the day of surgery with isobaric lidocaine spinal injection. There were no reports of TNSs.

Keywords

• Total hip arthroplasty
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
• Anesthesia
• Spinal