Comparative study of epidural Ropivacaine 0.5% and 0.75% with Clonidine for lower limb surgeries

Central neuraxial blockade in the form of epidural is very popular for lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries as these techniques avoids the disadvantage associated with general anaesthesia. We have conducted such study to find out and compare appropriate concentration of ropivacaine with clonidine for lower limb surgeries in epidural anaesthesia. We have compared the efficacy of 0.5% ropivacaine+clonidine combination against 0.75% ropivacaine+clonidine combination during epidural anaesthesia in 60 healthy patient of ASA grade one or two scheduled for elective lower limb surgeries. Result shows that onset of action and duration of analgesia is longer with Ropivacaine 0.75% but haemodynamic stability is more with 0.5% Ropivacaine. So it was concluded that Ropivacaine 0.5% concentration provides better haemodynamic stability with shorter duration of motor block for day care surgeries but for longer procedures, 0.75% ropivacaine will be preferred because of intense motor blockade, higher level of analgesia and prolonged sensory block.