Placental transfer of local anaesthetics in the premature sheep fetus

This study was designed to test whether there is any difference in the placental transfer of bupivacaine or lidocaine in the early compared to the late preterm maternal/fetal sheep preparation; and whether the premature lamb fetus reacts to a steady state local anaesthetic infusion differently from the same lamb near term. Eleven ewes were studied in two groups receiving bupivacaine (group A) or lidocaine (group B). Hysterotomy and insertion of …