Regional analgesia following epidural blood patch

During the period November 1972 through October 1974, 118 epidural blood patch procedures were performed for severe postlumbar-puncture cephalgia. Subsequently, in a period varying from 105 to 380 days, three patients, two of whom had twice undergone epidural blood patch, were readmitted for either surgical operation or delivery. Either epidural, caudal, or spinal block was successfully accomplished. During the epidural block, the epidural block the epidural space was easily identified and no resistance was felt either to injection of the local anesthetic or to advancement of the epidural catheter. During the spinal block, ligmentum flavum was distinctly felt from the dura. The extent of the blocks, the onset and duration of action ofpivacaine, mepivacaine, and lidocaine were within normal limits. It is, therefore, concluded that epidural blood patch does not obliterate the epidural space and should not preclude the use of regional block for later surgical or obstetric procedures.