Background and Objectives Prolonged motor and sensory block following epidural anesthesia can be associated with extended postoperative care unit stays and patient dissatisfaction. Previous studies have demonstrated a more rapid motor recovery following the administration of epidural crystalloids in patients who had received plain bupivacaine and lidocaine epidural anesthesia. However, epinephrine is commonly added to local anesthetics to improve the quality and prolong the duration of the epidural block. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of 0.9% NaCl epidural catheter flush volume (i.e., washout) to the recovery of motor and sensory block in patients undergoing 2% lidocaine with epinephrine epidural anesthesia.

Methods A prospective, randomized, double-blind study design was utilized. Thirty-three subjects scheduled for elective gynecologic or obstetrical surgical procedures underwent epidural anesthesia using 2% lidocaine with epinephrine (1:200,000). A T4 dermatome level of analgesia, determined by toothpick prick, was maintained intraoperatively. Following surgery, subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Group 1 (control, n = 11) received no epidural 0.9% NaCl (normal saline [NS]) postoperatively. Group 2 (15 mL NS × 1, n = 10) received an epidural bolus of 15 mL NS. Group 3 (15 mL NS × 2, n = 12) received an epidural bolus of 15 mL NS postoperatively and a second 15-mL NS bolus 15 minutes later. Assessment of motor and sensory block was performed at 15-minute intervals until complete motor and sensory recovery.

Results Times to partial and full motor and sensory recovery were significantly faster in the epidural NS groups than in the control group. Full motor recovery was more rapid in subjects receiving two 15-mL NS epidural NS boluses (30 mL total) compared with those receiving a single 15-mL NS bolus (108 ± 9 min v 136 ± 13 min) and significantly faster than control group subjects (153 ± 14 min). Both NS × 1 and NS × 2 epidural bolus groups experienced significantly reduced times to complete sensory recovery when compared with the control group (NS × 1 = 154 ± 13 min, NS × 2 = 153 ± 9 min, control 195 ± 14 min).

Conclusions A more rapid recovery of motor and sensory block in patients undergoing 2% lidocaine with epinephrine epidural anesthesia can be achieved with the use of 30 mL NS epidural washout.