Comparison of Intrathecal Levobupivacaine and Levobupivacaine plus Fentanyl for Cesarean Section

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to compare the effects of intrathecal levobupivacaine with levobupivacaine and fentanyl in patients undergoing cesarean section. METHODS Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I and II scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated with thirty patients each. Group L: levobupivacaine group - thirty patients (10 mg). Group F: levobupivacaine plus fentanyl group - thirty patients (7.5 mg + 12.5 μg). Hemodynamic monitoring, sensory and motor levels, and neonatal Apgar score were noted intraoperatively. The total duration of motor and sensory block, time for rescue analgesia was noted postoperatively. RESULTS Prolonged duration of postoperative sensory and rescue analgesia was found in Group F - 112.97 ± 19.42, 231.26 ± 10.92 min as compared to Group L - 100.37 ± 10.64, 185.93 ± 11.09 min and duration of motor blockade was prolonged in Group L - 87.83 ± 15.04 min than Group F - 79.20 ± 8.93 min and P < 0.05 was found statistically significant. Apgar scores in both groups were comparable. CONCLUSION Intrathecal levobupivacaine plus fentanyl prolonged duration of sensory block and rescue analgesia without prolonging motor block which could help in early ambulation.