COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HYPERBARIC BUPIVACAINE VERSUS ISOBARIC ROPIVACAINE IN SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN LOWER ABDOMEN AND LOWER LIMB SURGERY

Aim of  this study was to  compare  bupivacaine  heavy ( 0.5% ) 3ml with  isobaric ropivacaine  (0.75% ) 3ml, intrathecally in patients  posted for lower abdominal  and lower limb surgery for sensory and motor effects and hemodynamic stability. 100 patients aged 12 years or older (ASA grade I, II, III) scheduled for various lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries   were randomly distributed in two groups. In group B (n= 50) 15 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%, 3ml) and in group R (n=50) 21.5 mg   of isobaric ropivacaine (0.75%, 3ml) was given intrathecally. All observations were recorded and analyzed statistically by using unpaired t-test and P- value < 0.05 was considered significant. No statistically significant difference in onset of sensory blockade up to T₁₀, onset of motor block (grade “I”), mean duration of analgesia and side effects was observed between both groups. Statistically significant difference in onset of motor blockade at grade “III” was observed between group B and R. Statistically significant mean duration of sensory and motor blockage was found in group B. Administration of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine intrathecally was found to have shorter duration of motor blockade and similar duration of analgesia as compared to bupivacaine with hemodynamic stability and without significant side effects.