European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of bupivacaine 0.5% and levobupivacaine 0.5%, ropivacaine 0.5% in subarachnoid block for elective lower abdominal surgeries with regard to onset and duration of sensory blockade, onset and duration of motor blockade, maximum height of sensory block, time for two segment regression from the highest sensory level and duration of analgesia. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial carried out at the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, conducted among three groups of 40 subjects each from December 2015 to September 2017. Results: It was found that bupivacaine has a faster onset of action and a longer duration of action, with intense motor block associated with a small amount of hypotension. Levobupivacaine did not have any complications and had similar characteristics like that of bupivacaine except for a slightly slower onset of action and a less intense motor blockade. Though ropivacaine has a slower set of actions, less intensity of motor blockade compared to bupivacaine, it has a shorter duration of action for both sensory and motor blocks, which is more beneficial in day-care procedures without much complications. In our study, bupivacaine, levobupivacaine and ropivacaine showed excellent surgical block, resulting in sensory block that ensures the patient’s wellbeing, while motor block facilitated the surgeon’s work.  Conclusion: Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine can be used in parallel to bupivacaine for elective lower abdominal surgeries.