[Bupivacaine for peridural anesthesia in cesarean section].

The question whether bupivacaine 0.75% is responsible for cardiotoxic reactions during epidural anaesthesia in obstetrics, and if so, to what extent was investigated in a retrospective study. Epidural anaesthesia with bupivacaine 0.5% and 0.75% for caesarean section were compared according to their circulatory and cardiac side effects. Contrary to American publications on the negative results with bupivacaine 0.75%, in our hands the drug proved to be very useful and reliable for epidural anaesthesia for caesarean section. With 14-18 ml of bupivacaine 0.75% very favorable results were obtained. The control group with bupivacaine 0.5% showed anaesthesia to be less effective. Besides complete analgesia, the high degree of motor blockade should be mentioned. No negative influence on the newborn and mother could be found. As long as the technique for epidural blockade is performed correctly and the anaesthesist is experienced bupivacaine 0.75% for caesarean section can continue to be recommended.