Comparison of bupivacaine and lidocaine for intravenous regional analgesia.

In a double blind study, seven volunteers were given lidocaine 0.75 per cent and bupivacaine 0.25 per cent in two trials to compare the agents for use in intravenous regional analgesia. There was no significant difference between the two agents in the duration of analgesia after removal of the tourniquet. Bupivacaine produced fewer side effects. It also consistently produced persistent analgesia on the posterolateral aspect of the forearm.