Comparative study between bupivacaine alone  and bupivacaine plus clonidine in subarachnoid  block in orthopaedic surgeries in lower limb

BACKGROUND This study compared the characteristics of hyperbaric and hypobaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing unilateral lower limb surgeries under lumbar subarachnoid block with regard to their onset and level of sensory and motor blockades, haemodynamic stability, and recovery profile in terms of analgesic duration and motor recovery. METHODS This is a comparative study. Two groups, each of 36 patients who satisfied American society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) I & II aged 18 – 65 years, were observed intra operatively and during immediate post-operative period. Group 1 received 2.4 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine (heavy) with operated limb in dependent position. Group 2 received 4 ml of reconstituted hypobaric bupivacaine 0.3 %, with the operated limb positioned in non-dependent position. Onset, level and duration of motor and sensory block, hemodynamic changes and duration of surgical analgesia were compared between groups. RESULTS The level of sensory block attained in the hypobaric group was at T12 with maximum at T9, in the hyperbaric group it is variable and at higher level. Duration of sensory blockade was less with hypobaric. Motor block of modified Bromage scale 3 after 10 minutes was none in group 2 and 91.7 % in group 1. Significant fall in systolic blood pressure at 15 to 30 minutes and diastolic BP at 15 and 20 minutes was noted in hyperbaric group after subarachnoid block. There was significant percentage of change in systolic blood pressure from 4 to 70 minutes and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 4 to 90 minutes in hyperbaric group. Duration of surgical analgesia in hypobaric group was longer compared to hyper baric. CONCLUSIONS Intrathecal hypobaric bupivacaine showed better haemodynamic stability and longer duration of analgesia in comparison with hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries. KEYWORDS Anaesthesia, Bupivacaine, Hypobaric, Subarachnoid Block

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Comparative Study of Hyperbaric Bupivacaine and Isobaric Ropivacaine for Lower Limb Surgery under Spinal Anesthesia

Nepal Medical Journal ◽

10.37080/nmj.65 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 22-27

Author(s):

Gunjan Regmi ◽

Rejina Shahi ◽

Kanak Khanal ◽

Kumud Pyakurel ◽

Chetan Bohora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Spinal Anesthesia ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Motor Block ◽

Hyperbaric Bupivacaine ◽

Subarachnoid Block ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Group I ◽

Lower Limb Surgery

Introduction: Subarachnoid block is commonly employed technique for lower abdominal and lower limb procedures. Bupivacaine and ropivacaine are commonly used local anesthetics for subarachnoid block. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of isobaric Ropivacaine over hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study for a duration of six months. 60 ASA grade I-II adult patients between 16-60 years undergoing lower limb surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomized into two groups. Group I including patients who received 15 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and group II including patients who received 22.5 mg of isobaric ropivacaine 0.75%. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block and hemodynamics including heart rate (HR), non invasive mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and respiratory depression were recorded. Data were entered in Microsoft excel and statistical analysis was done by chi square test and T test using SPSS (version 23.0). Results: Both the groups were demographically statistically insignificant. Successful block was attained in all patients in both groups. The sensory onset and motor onset were significantly delayed in the Ropivacaine Group compared to the Bupivacaine Group P<0.001. There was no significant difference in the hemodynamics (heart rate and mean arterial pressure ). Conclusions: Though isobaric ropivacaine provided lesser degree of sensory and motor block with delayed onset compared to hyperbaric bupivacaine, it can effectively and safely used in subarachnoid block in lower limb surgeries without any major hemodynamic changes and adverse effects.

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