Regional-Anaesthesie
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Regional-Anaesthesie · Aug 1990
[Maternal and neonatal plasma concentrations of bupivacaine during peridural anesthesia for cesarean section].
Many anesthesiologists prefer epidural anesthesia for cesarean section because of the potential risks of general anesthesia such as Mendelson's syndrome. For this indication, the local anesthetic of first choice is the long-acting substance bupivacaine. The aim of the following study was to determine maternal and neonatal plasma concentrations of bupivacaine 0.5% following epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in order to give critical statements about the systemic toxicity of the local anesthetic. ⋯ Using bupivacaine 0.5% for epidural anesthesia for cesarean section, we found maternal and neonatal plasma concentrations of the local anesthetic far below the accepted threshold level for producing systemic toxic reactions. In contrast to others, we obtained good analgesia and sufficient motor blockade accompanied by low plasma levels. In our opinion, there is no need to use 0.75% bupivacaine, especially since peak plasma concentrations of more than 2 micrograms/ml occur shortly after its epidural administration.