Serum bupivacaine concentrations during continuous extrapleural infusion

PurposeTo determine the rate of increase in serum bupivacaine concentration during continuous extrapleural infusion.MethodsAfter thoracotomy for lobectomy under general anaesthesia, nine patients had an extrapleural catheter inserted, before chest closure, in a costovertebral gutter constructed surgically by lifting the panetal pleura. Bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephnne 1:200.000 was injected through the catheter as 0.3 ml·kg−1 bolus followed by …