Abstract

An experimental method for singledose epidural analgesia in the baboon is described. The baboon, when adequately sedated, is a satisfactory species for clinically oriented studies with local analgesic agents. Of the local anesthetics tested, WIN 4510 proved to be the most potent and longest acting. In both respects it significantly surpassed bupivacaine. Attempts to prolong the duration of epidural analgesia by (a) changing the chemical form of the local analgesic (e.g., local analgesic amine base, quaternary ammonium salts), or (b) by using different vehicles (e.g. carboxymethylcellulose, hemacel and dextrane) did not result in significant change in the degree and duration of local analgesic action.