Postmortem Redistribution of Lidocaine after Illegal Use

Abstract

Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetics used for para cervical block to reduce pain associated with surgical abortion. Topical form of lidocaine and its contents have been used for illicit purposes and suicidal intentions. We present two case reports of lidocaine-related death. All samples were extracted using solid phase extraction and lidocaine was identified and quantified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Lidocaine concentrations were detected all analyzed samples with lethal levels. Toxicological findings and factors affecting lidocaine postmortem redistribution and results interpretation are discussed.