Evaluation of Hyperbaric Spinal Ropivacaine in Lower Limb and Hip Surgery: A Comparison with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine

Objectives: In this clinical study hyperbaric ropivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for lower limb and hip surgery was evaluated and results obtained were compared with those using hyperbaric bupivacaine. Methodology: Two hundred patients scheduled for lower limb and hip surgery were randomly divided into two groups of 100 patients each. These patients received a spinal injection of either 3ml (15mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric ropivacaine or 3ml (15mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine using 25G Quincke type spinal needle. The parameters studied were onset and total duration of sensory block, onset and total duration of motor block, quality of intraoperative anaesthesia, hemodynamic alterations, and any intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: The mean onset of sensory block (6±1.3min vs. 3±1.1min; p value<0.05) and motor block (13±1.6min vs. 9±1.3min; p value< 0.05) was significantly slower in ropivacaine group as compared to bupivacaine group. The total duration of sensory block was significantly shorter in ropivacaine group (160±12.9min) than in bupivacaine group (260±16.1min; p value <0.05). The mean duration of motor block was also shorter in ropivacaine group compared to bupivacaine group (126±9.2min vs. 174±12.6min; p value<0.05). Conclusion: The quality of anaesthesia was excellent in both the groups. In conclusion, a solution of ropivacaine (hyperbaric) can be used for spinal anaesthesia and is comparable with hyperbaric bupivacaine in terms of quality of block, but has shorter recovery profile.