Quantities of Local Anaesthetics to Use. For certain blocks, less local anaesthetic is needed when hyperbaric rather than plain solutions are used. The volumes of local anaesthetic shown in Table 2 should be considered only as a guideline. The lower volumes suggested should generally be injected in particularly small people. More may have to be given if the resultant block is not high enough for the proposed operation.
Hyperbaric agents are more reliable when trying for a mid-thoracic block.
Preparation for Lumbar Puncture. Assemble the necessary equipment on a sterile surface. An introducer , if using a fine gauge needle as they are thin and flexible, and therefore difficult to direct accurately. A 5ml syringe for the spinal anaesthetic solution. A 2 ml syringe for local anaesthetic to be used for skin infiltration.