Subarachnoid anaesthesia: comparison of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine and amethocaine

Hyperbaric solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.5% amethocaine (2 and 3 ml) were compared in a double-blind study of 40 patients receiving subarachnoid anaesthesia for urological surgery. The drugs produced similar and satisfactory analgesia in the tested concentrations and volumes. Motor blockade was more profound and longer lasting with amethocaine.