ABSTRACT
Eighty elderly patients undergoing elective resection for the prostate were randomly divided into two groups, the levobupivacaine (observe group) and bupivacaine (control group) were used for spinal anesthesia, respectively. The level of sensory block and maintain time were T7±4 and (224 ±28) min in observed group, those in control group were T6±3 and (227 ±30) min, respectively ( both P＞ 0. 05). The mean arterial blood pressure of control group was (71 ±8) -(72 ±8) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0. 133 kPa) from 5 to 30 min after injection; meanwhile that of observed group was(75 ± 9) mm Hg (P ＜ 0. 05). The incidences of hypotension and nausea were 10% (4/40) and 0% (0/40) respectively in observe group, and those were 30% (12/40) and 15% (6/40) respectively in control group (both P＜0.05). The results indicate that levobupivacaine and bupivacaine have similar anesthetic effects, but levobupivacaine has fewer side effects and is more suitable for elderly patients.