Comparison Of Intrathecal Hyperbaric Ropivacaine And Bupivacaine For Caesarean Delivery

Background: Ropivacaine a recently introduced local anaesthetic with lesser cardiotoxicity and shorter duration of anaesthesia may be of value in obstetrics. Aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric ropivacaine during caesarean section and to compare with that of hyperbaric bupivacaine. Methods: In this double blind prospective randomized study, block characteristics of hyperbaric ropivacaine were compared with that of hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients receiving single shot spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Eighty parturients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group R (n=39) received 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric ropivacaine in 8.3% dextrose and group B (n=41) received 11 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (commercially available preparation).Result: Onset of sensory block was slightly slower in group R but the speed of onset of motor block was similar in both groups. Regression of sensory and motor block was faster in group R. The incidence of hypotension and other side effects was similar in the two groups. Quality of surgical anaesthesia in group R was indistinguishable from that of group B. Conclusion: It was concluded that 15 mg of ropivacaine in 8.3% dextrose provided satisfactory anaesthesia for caesarean delivery similar to that with 11 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine.