Local Anaesthetic (LA) can cause direct damage to nerve tissue when used. This limits the concentration of LA which can be safely used in clinical practice. Transient Radicular irritation: Pain and burning sensation in the lower back, buttocks and posterior thigh is present. Symptoms appear within 24 hours of recovery from spinal anesthesia and last up to one week. The pathophysiology behind transient Radicular irritation is direct inflammation of lumbosacral nerves caused by local anesthetic.
Lidocaine is more commonly associated with this complication as compared to bupivacaine and tetracaine . Obesity and outpatient anaesthesia are considered to increase the risk of transient radicular irritation. The incidence of transient Radicular irritation is unaffected by the concentration of lidocaine, needle type, gender and history of back pain. Vasoconstriction can theoretically increase…
