A method for estimating bupivacaine concentration in human plasma by capillary gas-chromatography using solid injection and nitrogen-specific detection is described. Etidocaine, another anilidetype local anesthetic was used as internal standard and added to the sample before single-step extraction with diethylether. This method demonstrates high sensitivity (6 ng/ml plasma) and combines selectivity, rapidity, and simplicity. Results of this procedure correlate well with those obtained by an HPLC method.