A healthy gravida presented for elective cesarean section. A 3-eye, closed-end catheter was inserted easily through a 17-gauge Tuohy needle 4 cm into the epidural space. A test dose of 3 ml of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 was injected; aspiration before and after the injection was negative. Over the next 20 min, 17.5 ml of 2% lidocaine was added: after the final 2.4 ml, the woman experienced a brief period of drowsiness. Because of this event, 3% chloroprocaine was used and, after 6 ml, drowsiness and perioral numbness occurred. Aspiration continued to be negative despite opening of the catheter to air in a dependent position. Since intravenous placement of the catheter was certain and the patient refused reinsertion of the catheter, a general anesthetic was administered. Near the end of surgery, 3 ml of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 were injected through the epidural catheter as a repeat test-dose: again there was no change in heart rate or blood pressure. Postoperatively, when the patient was moved onto the stretcher, frank blood could be aspirated from the catheter.