Publication:

Comparison between isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5% and hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% in spinal anesthesia in lower limb surgeries and lower abdominal surgeries in adult patients

Background The aim of our study was to compare sensory and motor block characteristics and hemodynamic changes following intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) and isobaric levobupivacaine (0.5%) in elective lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries.

Methods 60 patients of either sex, aged 18-60 years, ASA grade I or II scheduled for elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries were randomized into two groups, group B (n=30) and group L (n=30) and received either 3 ml of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine or isobaric levobupivacaine intrathecally.

Results The mean time of onset of sensory block at shin of tibia in both the groups was comparable i.e. levobupivacaine (1.19±0.2 minutes) and bupivacaine (1.1+0.2 minutes). The mean time for total duration of sensory block was 211.1±8.2 minutes in group L, while 193.13±13.7 minutes in group B. Time for total duration of motor block in group L was 198.76±8.428 minutes and in group B was 182.6±13.989 minutes. Statistically significant difference was observed in total duration of sensory and motor block in both levobupivaciane and bupivacaine group (p<0.0001). Patients in group L were hemodynamically more stable with significantly less decrease in pulse rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure as compared to group B.

Conclusions We observed that 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine provided better hemodynamic stability, longer duration of sensory and motor block as compared to bupivacaine.