A comparison of epinephrine concentrations in local anesthetic solutions using a "wash" versus measured technique

INTRODUCTION:: Anesthesiologists often prepare epinephrine-containing local anesthetic solutions. We compared epinephrine concentrations of solutions prepared using the "wash" technique with solutions prepared using the measured technique (using an insulin syringe), and compared epinephrine concentrations among anesthesiologists. METHODS:: Five anesthesiologists prepared syringes for spinal and epidural anesthesia using both techniques. Epinephrine concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS:: Measured technique concentrations were higher than those of the wash technique for the spinal but not epidural solutions. CONCLUSIONS:: Concentrations of all measured spinal solutions were higher than the target concentrations, as were concentrations of three of five measured epidural solutions. There were significant differences among anesthesiologists.