To the Editor:—
One always needs to be careful about stating that anything is “new,” and I wonder if I might suggest to Ueda et al. 1that they were incautious in their claim in regard to the use of regular intermittent bolus administration of epidural local anesthetic. This technique was studied in Edinburgh, many years ago, in both open2and randomized double-blind3studies in gynecologic patients. I am delighted that others are now studying this method of administration, but priority in this regard belongs properly to Bruce Scott, Stan Schweitzer, and John Thorn.
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom. j.a.w.wildsmith@dundee.ac.uk
References
1.
Ueda K, Ueda W, Manabe M: A comparative study of sequential epidural bolus technique and continuous epidural infusion. Anesthesiology 2005; 103:126–9
2.
Scott DB, Schweitzer S, Thorn J: Epidural block in postoperative pain relief. Reg Anesth 1982; 7:135–9
3.
Duncan LA, Fried MJ, Lee A, Wildsmith JAW: Comparison of continuous and intermittent administration of extradural bupivacaine for analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. Br J Anaesth 1998; 80:7–10
