K. Sampath Kumar Reddy1, B. Sravanthi2, S. G. K. Murthy3, A. S. Kameswara Rao4
Regional anaesthesia is becoming one of the most useful and versatile procedures in modern anesthesiology. Bupivacaine is a long acting amide local anaesthetic which is widely used since years, but it is associated with a many side effects like Central Nervous System (CNS) toxicity and cardiotoxicity. Ropivacaine is a newly introduced long acting amide local anaesthetic drug in India which has been developed as a possible alternative to Bupivacaine. It has a lower lipophilicity than bupivacaine and hence associated with a decreased potential for CNS and cardiotoxicity. AIMS: The aim of the study was to compare the time of onset of sensory block and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia of epidural anaesthesia produced by bupivacaine 0.5% and ropivacaine 0.75% for lower abdominal & limb surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomised study 60 patients, aged between 18-60 years, ASA 1 and 2, undergoing various lower abdominal & limb surgeries were randomly allocated to 2 groups of 30 each. Group B received 15ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and group R received 15 ml of 0.75% bupivacaine epidurally. The time of onset of sensory, intensity of motor block, duration of sensory and motor block and hemodynamic changes were assessed. RESULTS: The time of onset and duration of sensory block was comparable for both the drugs. Bupivacaine 0.5% produced more intensity and longer duration of motor block than ropivacaine 0.75%. Both the drugs were comparable with respect to hemodynamic changes. CONCLUSION: Epidural ropivacaine 0.75% can be safely used as a possible alternative to bupivacaine 0.5% in lower abdominal and extremity procedures.
