Purpose: This case report describes the novel use of sequential bilateral upper extremity intravenous regional anesthesia with 2-chloroprocaine for bilateral endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression.
Clinical features: A 49-yr-old female, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I, presented for outpatient bilateral carpal tunnel release. Sequential bilateral intravenous regional anesthesia was performed with 0.5% 2-chloroprocaine 30 mL per arm using a double upper arm tourniquet. Intraoperative sedation consisted of midazolam and fentanyl. Tourniquet times for the right and left arms were 28 and 19 min, respectively. After deflation of each tourniquet, mild limb twitching occurred but resolved immediately after administration of intravenous midazolam. The patient made a rapid recovery, and she was discharged home uneventfully.
Conclusions: Bilateral sequential intravenous regional anesthesia with 2-chloroprocaine is effective for upper extremity surgery of short duration. Recommendations to minimize the risk of local anesthetic toxicity are reviewed.