The chloroprocaine controversy.

Chloroprocaine, a rapidly hydrolyzed local anesthetic, is widely used in anesthesia for labor and delivery because of low maternal and fetal toxicity, fast onset, and brief duration of action. Neurological complications have been reported following massive intrathecal injection of chloroprocaine after attempted epidural block. Whether these are due to the drug, the stabilizer, the low pH, or other factors awaits detailed laboratory study. Careful testing for unexpected subarachnoid placement should precede final injection of any local anesthetic in the epidural space.