Comparison between Intrathecalisobaric Ropivacaine 0.75% with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% in Lower Abdominal and Lower Limb Surgeries

Spinal anaesthesia is widely used for lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries. It has been the mainstay for regional anaesthesia in developing countries, especially in India. Bupivacaine is being extensively used and produces an adequate sensory and motor blockade. However, it has its own disadvantages and side-effects such as cardiac and central nervous system toxicity. Newer long-acting local anaesthetics (ropivacaine, levobupivacaine) have recently been introduced for clinical use. The claimed benefits of these are reduced cardiac toxicity on overdose and more specific effects on sensory rather than motor nerve fibres. In our study, we compared the efficacy of 22.5 mg (3ml) of 0.75 % isobaric ropivacaine with a control group using 15 mg (3ml) of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine. Ropivacaine for intrathecal anaesthesia in the lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries provided an adequate level of block for the surgery with lesser duration of motor blockade with good analgesia and more hemodynamic stability so it can be safely use for day care surgery.