A randomized clinical trial to compare 0.75% plain ropivacaine and 0.5% plain bupivacaine in lower abdominal surgeries under spinal analgesia at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and Objectives ABSTRACT The selection of the local anaesthetic to be used for spinal anaesthesia is usually based on the expected duration of surgery and need for early patient discharge. Ropivacaine, a new amino-amide anaesthetic agent has been recently launched in India having various advantages like early onset and shorter duration of action and having lesser cardio toxicity as compared to bupivacaine. The present study was undertaken for comparison of isobaric ropivacaine and isobaric bupivacaine to determine clinical efficacy of ropivacaine. Methods This one year randomized clinical trial was undertaken to determine clinical efficacy of ropivacaine. This study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, attached to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum during the period of January 2010 to December 2010. A total of 100 patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each (Group R received 2 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine, group B received 2 ml of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine). Results There was no significant difference between the two groups to onset of sensory block at T10. Maximum sensory block attained in group R ranged between T4 and T6, where as in group B, it ranged between T6 and T8 which was statistically highly significant. Total duration of sensory block was IX in mean time comparable in both the groups and was not significant. Mean time of onset of motor block was significantly delayed in group R. Duration of motor block was significantly less in group R. Conclusion and interpretation Intrathecal, plain solutions containing ropivacaine 15 mg is suitable for lower abdominal surgeries of approximately one hour duration.