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Case Reports
. 2022 Jan-Dec:10:23247096221090841.
doi: 10.1177/23247096221090841.

Status Epilepticus Following Intrathecal Administration of Bupivacaine: A Case Report

Arthur Vanmarcke  1 , Piet Lormans  1 , Catherine Vandewaeter  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Status Epilepticus Following Intrathecal Administration of Bupivacaine: A Case Report

Arthur Vanmarcke et al. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2022 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Spinal anesthesia is common practice and rarely causes complications. Although extended experience is present, seldom side effects of this technique and the administration of intrathecal local anesthetics and/or opioids can occur. We present a case in which a 76-year old woman undergoing total hip arthroplasty received a low dose of intrathecal bupivacaine and sufentanil. One hour after administration, she developed myoclonic seizures of the lower extremities followed by generalized tonic-clonic seizures and status epilepticus. We conclude that status epilepticus is a rare and possible lethal side effect of intrathecal bupivacaine. Symptoms may be misleading, highlighting the importance of early recognition and adequate management.

Keywords: bupivacaine; generalized tonic-clonic seizures; intrathecal; spinal anesthesia; status epilepticus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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