Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.75% in comparison with bupivacaine 0.5% and mepivacaine 1.5% with adrenaline (author's transl)

147 patients undergoing low laparotomies, perineal operations and operations on the lower limbs were given bupivacaine 0.75%, bupivacaine 0.5% or mepivacain-adrenaline 1.5% for epidural anaesthesia. The anaesthesia was most effective after bupivacaine 0.75%. In this group the intensity and duration of both sensory analgesia and motor block were more prolonged. No serious complications occurred. No increase in toxicity, when using bupivacaine 0.75% (total dose of 128 mg) for epidural anaesthesia, has been shown in this clinical trial.