Abstract :
Background: Spinal anaesthesia is the frequently used central block used in a surgical procedure. Different
local anaesthetic drugs used in spinal anaesthesia differ in their analgesic property, lipid solubility, protein
binding, pKa, and degree of spread, the baricity of solution being one of the primary determinants of spread
of solutions.
Aims: To compare and evaluate the anaesthetic profile of preservative free 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine and
bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries.
Materials and Methods: The clinical study enrolled 100 patients posted for lower abdominal surgeries
under spinal anaesthesia. All the patients were then randomized and received either isobaric preservative
free 3ml(15mg) of 0.5% bupivacaine (Group A, n=50) or 3ml(15mg) of 0.5% ropivacaine (Group B, n=50).
Onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, haemodynamic changes and any other side effects were
noted.
Results: Demographic variables between the two groups were not significant. Onset of sensory block was
delayed in ropivacaine group B (4.80 0.92 vs 4.35 0.88 min, p was found to be significantly more in group A (170.29 14.14 vs 155.77 13.97min, p group B. Onset of motor block was also earlier in group A than group B with p value< 0> duration was significantly shorter in group B (140.08 16.58 vs 160.95 15.74min). The two groups
were comparable in maximum level of blockade reached and haemodynamic parameters. Incidence of
hypotension and bradycardia was significantly less in ropivacaine group.
Conclusion: This study establishes that ropivacaine produces good sensory block and is more stable
hemodynamically with lesser side effects.
Keyword :
Ropivacaine isobaric, Isobaric bupivacaine, Baricity, Intrathecal.