We investigated the effectiveness of bupivacaine in 90 selected patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy in controlling postoperative pain. Patients were randomised into 3 groups of 30 patients. In group 1, 50 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine was injected into the incision layers before closure. In gro¬up 2, a thin epidural catheter was inserted between the peritoneum and the muscle layers. J50 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine solution was given during the first postoperative 60 hours through an infusion pump. In group 3, 50 ml 0.9 % NaCl was injected into the incision before closure. The three groups were compared usin3g postoperative visual analogue pain score, postoperative need for analgesia, respiratory function and du¬ration of hospital stay. Bupivacaine was more effective than 0.9 % NaCl injection in reducing the need of postoperative pethidine in the first 24 hours after surgery. Median (range) postoperative pethidine dosages were: 60 (20-75) mg in group I; 55 (25-60) ing in group 2 and 100 (20-150) mg in group 3. In later postope¬rative period there was no significant difference. The amount of analgesia required was the same between the groups of injection or infusion of bupivacaine in the first 24 hours (p>0.05). Also there was no signifi¬cant difference in the three groups in respiratory function or duration of hospital stay. Bupivacaine admi¬nistration into the wound could reduce early postoperative pain but had no effect on postoperative reco¬very.