Clinical Evaluation of Levobupivacaine in Subarachnoid Block - A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study with Bupivacaine

AIM To evaluate the characteristics of subarachnoid block with levobupivacaine and bupivacaine. MATERIALS AND METHODS 100 adult patients scheduled for lower limb orthopaedic surgery were allocated in two groups of 50 each. Group- A received 0.5 % isobaric Bupivacaine 3.0 ml, Group-B 0.5 % isobaric Levobupivacaine 3.0ml. RESULTS Mean time to onset and peak of sensory blockade for highest sensory level was and 11.61 03.44min and12.75 03.56min respectively in group A and 12.00 02.64min and 13.08 02.67min respectively in group B. Mean time to achieve motor blockade modified Bromage scale III was 10.13 02.86min in group A and 10.64 02.76min resp. in group B. The mean duration of sensory and motor blockade was 378.08 50.63min and 271.19 17.09min in group A and 381.6 42.87min and 272.96 25.21min in group B. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in group A and group B was 378.08 50.63min and 381.6 42.87min resp. The duration of sensory blockade was prolonged in group B compare to group A but it was not statistically significant. Hemodynamic variables and SpO2 remained within normal limit and were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION Bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in subarachnoid blockade are equally effective and safe with comparable onset, peak, and duration of sensory and motor blockade and post operative analgesia. It can be concluded that levobupivacaine seems to be an interesting alternative to bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia.