Extension of Sensory Blockade After Thoracic Epidural Administration of a Test Dose of Lidocaine at Three Different Levels

Abstract

After evaluating the extension and pattern of sensory blockade in high, mid, and low thoracic epidural analgesia, the authors suggest that it is safe to use similar dosage regimens in all three regions, and that in high thoracic epidural analgesia, it is important to insert the epidural catheter at the level of the intended cranial border of blockade.