The effectiveness and safety of etidocaine during extradural anaesthesia for Caesarean section were evaluated in 81 patients. Adequate sensory analgesia occurred in 78 patients and muscle relaxation was excellent in all patients. The combined umbilical venous-umbilical arterial/maternal venous ratio was 0.28±0.2 following the administration of 1% etidocaine 25 ml with adrenaline and 0.38 ± 0.2 following the administration of 1% etidocaine plain 25 ml. Neurobehavioural patterns of the newborn were not affected noticeably. Etidocaine, in appropriate dose and concentration, appears to be an excellent local anaesthetic agent for Caesarean section under extradural anaesthesia.