Sixty-one patients (ASA classification I-III) were studied in an open non-comparative trial to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia. In 59 patients the quality of analgesic block was good, while 2 required supplementary analgesia and sedation. Four patients became hypotensive, this requiring correction by fluid volume replacement. Hyperbaric bupivacaine, with a mean duration of action of 6 1/2 hours, has proved satisfactory in our anaesthetic practice.