A double-blind trial of bupivacaine and etidocaine in epidural block for surgical induction of labour.

Compared to bupivacaine, etidocaine has a quicker onset of action both in terms of initial analgesia and time taken to reach maximal extent of analgesia. ;owever, its duration of action is significantly shorter and it produces a striking degree of motor loss. These last two properties make etidocaine relatively unsuitable for obstetric practice, where a long duration of action and a reasonable mobility are desirable. However, it has been found useful for forceps delivery, because of the good muscle relaxation obtained and, because of its greater penetration, in abolishing the missed segments sometimes seen with bupivacaine.