Accidental overdose of epidural bupivacaine and sufentanil

A case is described of an accidental high thoracic epidural infusion of 337.5 mg 0.75% bupivacaine and 180 micrograms sufentanil in less than 30 minutes. It occurred in a post-thoracotomy patient with lung cancer. Severe hypotension and an extensive sensory and motor block developed. Only a mild respiratory depression was seen. The patient recovered after treatment without adverse sequelae.