A comparative study between etidocaine and bupivacaine in ulnar nerve block.

The long-acting local anaesthetics bupivacaine and etidocaine were compared in a double-blind study using ulnar nerve block. Eleven volunteers took part in the study. Solutions used were: bupivacaine 0.25% and 0.5% and etidocaine 0.5% and 1 %. All solutions contained adrenaline 5 mug/ml. The time of onset and duration of analgesia and motor block, degree of motor block, and changes in skin temperature were investigated. The results did not show any differences in the duration of sensory of motor block. Differences were seen in the degree of motor block in favour of etidocaine. The sympathetic block seemed to be more intense and of longer duration with bupivacaine. Etidocaine had a shorter time of onset in all nerve fibres.