Effects of Epidural Needle Rotation and Different Speeds of Injection on the Distribution of Epidural Block

on the Distribution of Epidural Block. Background and objectives: This prospective, randomised study examined the effect of injection speeds for unilateral epidural anesthesia on block characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and discharge criteria in 60 patients. Levobupivacaine 5 % was administered to Group F over 1 min (fast) and to Group S over 3 min (slow) (n = 30 each) with the needle angulated at 5°-10 ° from the midline. Unilateral epidural block was significantly more successful in Group S than in Group F (70.3 % vs. 16%; p < 0.001). On the non-operated sides in group S, the maximal sensorial block time was shorter and the regression time for 2 segments was longer (p < 0.05). And the walk-out time was longer in group F (p < 0.05). We consider that the slow administration of local anesthetic in unilateral epidural anesthesia is more effective than rapid administration