Pharmacokinetics and transplacental transfer of lidocaine and its metabolite for perineal analgesic assistance to pregnant women.

Background: Obstetrical analgesia continues to be challenging to science in the search for safe and effective methods that will permit the use of these procedures allied to improved obstetrical and perinatal results.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and the placental transfer of lidocaine and its metabolite in parturients whose pregnancies were resolved by the vaginal route under perineal analgesia.

Patients And Methods: The study was conducted on 23 pregnant women who received perineal analgesia with 20 ml 2% lidocaine (400 mg) during the expulsive period of labor.