A Comparison of the Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Bupivacaine, Ropivacaine (with Epinephrine) and Their Equal Volume Mixtures with Lidocaine Used for Femoral and Sciatic Nerve Blocks: A Double-Blind Randomized Study

Abstract

Mixtures of long-acting local anesthetics with lidocaine induced faster onset blocks of decreased duration. Whether there is a safety benefit is unclear, as the benefit of a decreased concentration of long-acting local anesthetic may be offset by the presence of a significant plasma concentration of lidocaine.