5 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 8
SPINAL ANESTHESIA
A new fast-on, fast-off spinal anesthetic called Clorotekal (chloro-
procaine hydrochloride) is intended for short procedures that last
about 40 minutes — because that's about how quickly the anes-
thetic wears off. How short is the duration of action? So short that
anesthesiologist Arthur Atchabahian, MD, of NYU Langone
Medical Center, says some patients are able to move their legs as
they're coming out of the OR and recover while sitting up
in a chair.
B. Braun introduced Clorotekal at the American Society
of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) and Acute Pain Medicine's
43
rd
annual conference in April, where Dr. Atchabahian
delivered the presentation, "Fast Track Spinal Anesthesia:
A New Kid in Town." In it, he reported study patients
who underwent procedures with Clorotekal were ready
to be discharged 150 minutes after injection, nearly an
hour-and-a-half sooner than bupivacaine study
patients (230 minutes from injection to discharge).
Clorotekal also had a quicker onset time than bupi-
vacaine and a "low" urinary retention rate compared to
bupivacaine's, according to Dr. Atchabahian. He says
Clorotekal is especially beneficial when performing
short procedures on patients with sleep apnea.
"Patients can be made very comfortable with very little
medication," says Dr. Atchabahian. "That is one of
our favorite indications."
Clorotekal will be available in August, says B
Braun. — Jeannette Sabatini
New Spinal Anesthetic Wears Off (Very) Fast
• UNDER 40 Clorotekal
(chloroprocaine hydrochlo-
ride), a local anesthetic for
spinal anesthesia, is indi-
cated for short procedures
that last about 40 minutes.
