To Compare the Efficacy of Epidural Ropivacaine versus Bupivacaine for Postoperative Epidural Analgesia in Total Knee Replacement Surgeries: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-blinded Controlled Study

Aim: To compare the efficacy of Bupivacaine 0.125% (Group B) versus 0.2% Ropivacaine (Group R ), in terms of pain scores, requirement of rescue analgesia, related adverse effects, and duration of postoperative hospital stay. Methods: 100 patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 50 each. Group B received 0.125% bupivacaine epidurally. Group R received 0.2% ropivacaine epidurally for postoperative pain relief. All patients were monitored for postoperative pain by the visual analog scale (VAS), requirement of rescue analgesia, hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects. Results: VAS pain scores were comparable in Group B, and Group R. requirement of rescue analgesia were comparable in Group R and Group B. Adverse effects such as hypotension and delayed motor block was higher in Group B when compared to group R. Conclusion: Ropivacaine 0.2% and bupivacaine 0.125% were equally efficient in terms of VAS pain scores, rescue analgesic requirement, and duration of postoperative hospital stay, but ropivacaine had a better safety profile in terms of less hypotension and lesser motor block.