Spinal 2-chloroprocaine: a comparison with lidocaine in volunteers.

UNLABELLED: Subarachnoid lidocaine has been the anesthetic of choice for outpatient spinal anesthesia. However, its use is associated with transient neurologic symptoms (TNS). Preservative-free formulations of 2-chloroprocaine are now available and may compare favorably with lidocaine for spinal anesthesia. In this double-blinded, randomized, crossover study, we compared spinal chloroprocaine and lidocaine in 8 volunteers, each receiving 2 spinal anesthetics: 1 with 40 mg 2% lidocaine and the other with 40 mg 2% preservative-free 2-chloroprocaine. Pinprick anesthesia, tolerance to transcutaneous electrical stimulation and thigh tourniquet, motor strength, and a simulated discharge pathway were assessed. Chloroprocaine produced anesthetic efficacy similar to lidocaine, including peak block height (T8 [T5-11] versus T8 [T6-12], P = 0.8183) and tourniquet tolerance (46 +/- 6 min versus 38 +/- 24 min, P = 0.4897). Chloroprocaine anesthesia resulted in faster resolution of sensory (103 +/- 13 min versus 126 +/- 16 min, P = 0.0045) and more rapid attainment of simulated discharge criteria (104 +/- 12 min versus 134 +/- 14 min, P = 0.0007). Lidocaine was associated with mild to moderate TNS in 7 of 8 subjects; no subject complained of TNS with chloroprocaine (P = 0.0004). We conclude that the anesthetic profile of chloroprocaine compares favorably with lidocaine. Reliable sensory and motor blockade with predictable duration and minimal side effects make chloroprocaine an attractive choice for outpatient spinal anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: The spinal anesthetic profile of chloroprocaine (40 mg) compares favorably with the same dose of spinal lidocaine. Reliable sensory and motor blockade with predictable duration and minimal side effects and without signs of transient neurological symptoms make chloroprocaine an attractive choice for outpatient spinal anesthesia.

Is dawn simulation effective in ameliorating the difficulty awakening in seasonal affective disorder associated with hypersomnia?

BACKGROUND: Patients with winter depression, (seasonal affective disorder, SAD) frequently complain of difficulty awakening in the morning. Dawn simulation has been found effective in treating SAD, but its effect on difficulty awakening has not been assessed. METHODS: Fifty medication-free patients with SAD associated with hypersomnia were randomized to receive either 1 week of dawn simulation (250 lux) or a dim (0.2-2 lux) placebo signal. The patients assessed their level of drowsiness upon awakening during the baseline week and during the treatment week using the Stanford sleepiness scale (SSS). A psychiatrist rated difficulty awakening after the baseline week and after the treatment week. RESULTS: Dawn simulation lowered both the difficulty awakening score (P<0.05) and the SSS score (P<0.05) compared to the placebo dawn signal. LIMITATIONS: Replication is necessary. No biological markers of circadian phase were measured. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to a placebo condition, dawn simulation appears effective in decreasing both prospectively assessed morning drowsiness and retrospectively assessed difficulty awakening. The symptom of difficulty awakening is consistent with the phase delay hypothesis of SAD. Assessment of difficulty awakening could prove useful in the evaluation of SAD.