Comparative study of isobaric bupivacaine and isobaric levobupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia

Study Objective: To compare the clinical effects of 3.5ml of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine and 3.5ml of 0.5% isobaric levo-bupivacaine intrathecally in total abdominal hysterectomies. Design: A prospective randomized study. Materials and Methods: 100 patients belonging to ASA physical status I & II (each group 50 patients n=50) were randomly selected for the study. The time of onset of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic status, duration of analgesia and adverse effects if any were compared in both the groups. Group I patients received 3.5ml of 0.5% isobaric Bupivacaine. Group II patients received 3.5ml of 0.5% isobaric levo-bupivacaine. Results: The time of onset of sensory block of levobupivacaine was 8± 3.5 and bupivacaine was 7.2± 2.6 min (P< 0.05). Onset time of motor block of levobupivacaine was 12 ±1.5 and bupivacaine was 10±1.7 min (P< 0.01). Hemodynamic changes did not differ in patients of either group (p >0.05).The duration of analgesia in group I was 280±40 minutes and in group II was 248±46 minutes which was statistically significant (p<0.001). The side effects were minimal in both the groups. Conclusion: Intrathecal administration of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% produces rapid onset of anesthesia, longer duration ofanalgesia compared to isobaric levo-bupivacaine.