Disputed issues of systemic toxicity of local anesthetics

Abstract

Objective: assessment of the "systemic toxicity of local anesthetics,” term validity, and a legal appraisal of the term “lipid resuscitation.” Regulatory documents and specialized literature devoted to the terminology of toxicity of local anesthetics were reviewed and analyzed. The article presents the classification of the adverse events proposed by World Health Organization experts. The legal issues related to the so-called “lipid resuscitation” are discussed. It seems appropriate to replace the term “systemic toxicity” of local anesthetics in all official documents with the term “side effect of the drug” or “side effects.” The use of the “lipid resuscitation” term in clinical practice is not supported by regulatory documents.

Keywords

• systemic toxicity of local anesthetics
• lidocaine
• lipid resuscitation