Estimation for Maximum Dosage of Lidocaine in Interpleural Block

Abstract

In recent years, interpleural block has been a popular technique for postoperative incisional pain relief. Also in our Pain Clinic, continuous interpleural block has been a common technique for the patient with postherpetic neuralgia. Higher concentration of local anesthetics such as 0.5% bupivacaine or 2% lidocaine is usually necessary during interpleural block to get adequate analgesic effect. It is important for anesthesiologists to know the most appropriate dose or administration methods of local anesthetics in order to avoid the toxicity of local anesthesia. However, the recommended maximum dosage or administration intervals is unclear, whichever epinephrine is added or not, because there are few reports on pharmacokinetics of plasma concentration of local anesthetics during interpleural block. The purpose of this study is to estimate appropriate dosage of lidocaine in view of preventing the toxicity in interpleural block.