A 35-year-old female presented for an elective caesarean section. The patient reported multiple failed or delayed onset spinal anaesthetics. On further enquiry, she had been stung by a scorpion as an adolescent. There are case reports documenting the incidence of local anaesthetic resistance following scorpion stings. The incidence of local anaesthetic failure appears highest near the scorpion sting and progressively diminishes. A diagnostic dermal local anaesthetic infiltration test may be done if a patient reports a history of failed regional anaesthesia and a previous scorpion sting to aid in planning an appropriate anaesthetic approach.
Author Biographies M Tshitangano, University of the WitwatersrandRahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
M Duffy, University of the WitwatersrandRahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
N Coetzee, University of the WitwatersrandRahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
A Giuricich , University of the WitwatersrandRahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Case Studies
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