Test dose in regional anesthesia

  • Luz Adriana Galindo Gualdrón Doctor Specialist in Anesthesiology, Hospital Simón Bolívar, Teaching associate instructor, Universidad del Bosque, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Anesthesiology, Bogotá, Colombia
Keywords: Anesthesia, Conduction, Anesthesia Local, Toxicity, Anesthesia, Epidural, Lidocaine

Abstract

Introduction: The use of the test dose in regional anesthesia is not standardized, and there is no consensus regarding what dose it should be or about the anesthetic or type of drug to be used. Moreover, many anesthesiologists do not use it routinely in their practice.
Objective: To review the test dose for regional anesthesia, its indications and utility, the drugs used, and positive signs.
Methods: A non-systematic search was conducted in medical database publications including MedLine, SciELO and Embase.
Results:The application of the test dose before giving the full injection of the local anesthetic helps in detecting the inadvertent placement of the needle or catheter in the intravascular or the subarachnoid spaces.
Conclusions: The test dose must be used every time critical doses of a local anesthetic are utilized or when normal doses are given to patients with risk factors. The test dose is not necessary in labor analgesia.

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How to Cite
1.
Galindo Gualdrón LA. Test dose in regional anesthesia. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2014 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];42(1):47–52. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/625

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Published
2014-01-01
How to Cite
1.
Galindo Gualdrón LA. Test dose in regional anesthesia. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2014 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];42(1):47–52. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/625
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Narrative review

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