DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i11.031

Pages: 3645-3650

Subarachnoid block is the anaesthesia technique of choice and is gold standard for lower abdominal surgery compared to general and epidural anaesthesia. Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are the two most recently introduced local anesthetics with lower risk of cardiotoxicity [1, 2]. In this study, 100 patients of ASA I-II, aged between 20-60 years of either sex, scheduled for elective inguinal hernia surgery were chosen and divided into two groups of 50 each. Patients were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally either 3.5 ml of 0.5% isobaric Levobupiovacaine (group x) or 3.5ml of 0.5% isobaric Ropivacaine (group y).Time taken to achieve peak sensory (T10 dermatome) and motor blockade,duration of block, recovery characteristics and hemodynamic changes were recorded. Any adverse symptoms were noted .This study revealed that 0.5% Ropivacaine produced better and faster sensory blockade with early regression of motor blockade compared to 0.5% Levobupivacaine. Hence, Ropivacaine can be used successfully for inguinal hernia surgeries where early recovery is well appreciated by the patients.