Postoperative pain prevention by continuous epidural infusion. A study of the clinical effects and the plasma concentrations obtained.

A method for postoperative pain prevention is described using epidural bupivacaine infused by means of a variable rate peristaltic pump. High plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were found but no serious signs of bupivacaine toxicity were observed and the method proved satisfactory in practice. Theoretical and practical considerations and aspects of clinical management are discussed.