A Comparison of Epidural Ropivacaine 0.75% and Bupivacaine 0.5% with Fentanyl for Elective Lower Limb Othopaedic Surgeries

Methods and Materials Sixty men undergoing lower limb orthopaedic under epidural anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive 20 mL of either 0.75 % Ropivacaine or 0.5 % bupivacaine plus Fentanyl 100 g. Supplementation with 2 % plain lidocaine was used where necessary. Times were recorded for onset of sensory block, density and duration of motor block, and the need for supplementation. Results There was no difference between the groups in the time (mean [SD]) to achieve sensory blockade to cold to T4 (ropivacaine 15.8 [5.6] min, bupivacaine/fentanyl 18.7 [9.1] min, P = 0.13) or to S1 (Ropivacaine 18.3 [4.6] min, Bupivacaine/Fentanyl 17.4 [7.6] min, P = 0.59), or in the need for supplementation. However, Ropivacaine produced a motor block that was denser (median Bromage score Ropivacaine 3, Bupivacaine/Fentanyl 1.5, P = 0.0041), and of longer duration (ropivacaine 237 [84] min, bupivacaine/fentanyl 144 [76] min, P less than 0.0001). Conclusions This study suggests that epidural 0.75 % Ropivacaine without opioid may be used as an alternative to Bupivacaine 0.5 % with Fentanyl for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries, but it does not induce anaesthesia any faster and may result in a denser, more prolonged, motor block.