Accidental spinal metoclopramide injection: case report.

Accidental injection of non-spinal drugs in epidural and spinal spaces is a possible anesthetic complication. This report presents a case of inadvertent spinal metoclopramide injection. Female patient, 17 years old, 69 kg, BMI = 26.2, physical status ASA I, 36 weeks and 4 days gestation, with acute fetal suffering and C-section indication. Patient presented with heart rate of 82 bpm, blood pressure of 130 x 70 mmHg, SpO2 of 97% and regular sinusoidal cardiac rhythm. Spinal anesthesia performed with a local anesthetic and opioid association, 15 mg of 0.25% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 25 microg fentanyl. Patient referred unspecific 'discomfort' 5 minutes after blockade installation. Blood pressure was 190 x 120 mmHg, heart rate was 145 bpm and SpO2 was 95%. Checking the vials, one bupivacaine vial and one metoclopramide vial were found. Symptoms were severe frontal headache, blurred view, nausea, vomiting and initial agitation evolving to sleepiness and torpor, in addition to hypertension and tachycardia. Tramadol, dipyrone, ondansetron and support measures were administered. Patient was asymptomatic 30 minutes after with BP of 150 x 100 mmHg and HR of 120 bpm. Patient was discharged from PACU to the ward 140 minutes after with sensory, motor and autonomic block recovery and normal hemodynamic parameters. Patient was discharged 48 hours later without neurological sequelae, together with the neonate. Close attention should be paid to any administered drug, regardless of the route. It is desirable to standardize vial colors and storage sites aiming at minimizing this type of accident.