Abstract
This randomized double-blind study was designed to investigate the onset and termination of sensory and motor block in epidural anaesthesia with alkalinized articaine. Forty-eight patients scheduled for transurethral resection-prostatectomy (TUR-P) were randomly divided into two groups. In Group 1 patients (n = 24) epidural anaesthesia was applied by administering 20 ml solution containing fentanyl 50 µg, articaine 5 mg.kg-1 (Ultracaine® D-S ampul). In Group 2, 8.4% NaHCO3 2 ml was added this solution. Sensorial and motor block start times, block end times, block qualities and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. The sensory block start time was 8.54 ± 1.2 min in Group 1 and 5.54 ± 1.10 min in Group 2 (p <0.05). Maximum motor blockade was achieved in group 1 for 10 min and in group 2 for 8 min. Total duration of action was 135.25 ± 17.8 min in Group 1 and 167.08 ± 19.0 min in Group 2 (p <0.05). As a result of our study, it was observed that the shorter block start time and longer duration of block in epidural anaesthesia performed with alkalinize articaine group.