Ropivacaine is considered safer than vacaine, on the basis of experime
ntal and human data that indicate a lower systemic toxicity. Here we r
eport the occurrence of a single seizure after i.v, administration of
ropivacaine 120 mg intended for extradural block in a patient having p
ostpartum tubal ligation. The only prodromal symptom was nervousness,
and the only cardiovascular manifestation was sinus tachycardia. Syste
mic toxicity, although less than that expected with bupivacaine, can o
ccur with ropivacaine.