ABSTRACT
Aim: To compare epidural 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.25% ropivacaine for post operative pain relief in cases of abdominal surgeries. Methods: 60 patients belonging to ASA physical status I & II of both sexes (each group 30 patients n=30) were randomly selected for the study. The sensory and motor block, analgesia, hemodynamic status, complications and need for rescue analgesia were compared in both the groups. Group B patients received 0.25% Bupivacaine as continuous epidural. Group R patients received 0.25% Ropivacaine as continuous epidural. Results: The sensory block was almost similar in both groups. No significant association is observed between the ASA class, age and sex of the groups (P>0.05). The difference in mean VAS between Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine was found to be statistically significant at 24 hours (P<0.05). Motor block was significantly more (17%) in group B than group R (3%) (P< 0.05). Haemodynamic changes did not differ in patients of either group (P >0.05). The rescue analgesia requirement were minimal in group R compared to group B. Complications were less in group R. Conclusion: Our study compared clinical efficacy of 0.25% Ropivacaine and 0.25%Bupivacaine in respect to analgesia, motor blockade, hemodynamic stability, requirement of rescue analgesia and complications. Sensory block and hemodynamic stability was comparable in the two groups. Ropivacaine group had significantly less motor block than Bupivacaine group.