A comparative study of Bupivacaine 0.5% versus Ropivacaine 0.5% for supraclavicular brachial plexus block (subclavian perivascular approach only) in ASA II,III patients

Peripheral nerve blocks have become important in clinical practice because of their role in post-operative pain relief, shortening of patient recovery time & avoiding risks and adverse effects of general anaesthesia. Bupivacaine is a long acting local anaesthetic. Due to its long duration of action and combined with its high quality sensory blockade compared to motor blockade it has been the most commonly used local anaesthetic for peripheral nerve blocks. Ropivacaine is a newer, long acting local anaesthetic whose neuronal blocking potential used in peripheral nerve blockade seems to be equal or superior to bupivacaine. Studies show that it has significantly greater safety margin over bupivacaine. Hence here is an attempt through the study to compare bupivacaine with ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block in ASA II&III patients.