EPIDURAL TEST DOSE: WHAT and WHY
INTRODUCTION Central Neuraxial block (CNB) is the most popular and most widely practiced technique amongst all anaesthetic techniques. Report and findings of the 3rd National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists showed in a conservative estimate, that CNB is used for at least 8–10% of all operations in the UK. Central Neuraxial block (CNB) techniques can produce highly effective pain relief for a wide variety of indications and may decrease patient morbidity after major surgery. Individual studies and meta-analyses have examined this effect and suggested benefit, [1–2] with even cautious commentators accepting that there is merit in the suggestion. [3] Yeager’s very small study reporting that epidural analgesia markedly reduced complication rates (overall complications, cardiovascular failure, major infections, cortisol rise) in high-risk patients was one of the earlier studies to suggest benefits out with improved analgesia. [4] Rodgers metanalysis [5] reported...