DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i04.018

Pages: 1255-1259

The aim of our study was to compare the effects of intrathecal administration of bupivacaine and fentanyl with levobupivacaine and fentanyl in parturients posted for elective caesarean section. Patients were allocated into two groups of 20 each. Group B received 8.75 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 12.5 mcg of fentanyl. Group L received 8.75 mg of 0.5%isobaric levobupivacaine with 12.5 mcg of fentanyl. Spinal analgesia is the most preferred anaesthetic for LSCS, since it provides easy & rapid induction, effective sensory and motor blockade and has no significant effects on the foetus. Levobupivacaine with fentanyl produces adequate levels of sensory blockade with less intensive motor blockade and also better haemodynamic stability when compared to bupivacaine with fentanyl. In conclusion 8.75 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine combined with 12.5mcg fentanyl-prolongs the sensory blockade with slower onset and early regression of motor blockade. It also maintains stable intraoperative haemodynamic parameters and decreases the incidence of adverse effects like bradycardia, hypotension. Duration of effective analgesia was comparable to bupivacaine. Hence we opine that levobupivacaine is a good alternative to bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia for LSCS.