A Comparative Study on the Quality of Blockade by Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Block

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine are the two mostfrequently used local anesthetics for brachial plexus blocks.There are many studies comparing the onset, duration andrecovery of the patient after the anesthesia, but not manyof these studies focus on the quality of anesthesia in termsof requirement of additional anesthesia intraoperatively.Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of anesthesiaprovided by the reduced concentration of both the anestheticagents.Material and Method: The study was carried out on patientsin the age group of 18 to 60 years with ASA grade I and II,undergoing elective operative procedures for upper limbsurgeries (i.e. elbow, forearm and hand surgeries). They wererandomly divided in Group I (Bupivacaine) and Group II(Ropivacaine). The quality of anesthesia was assessed.Results: While only 9 patients in Group II required additionalanesthesia (1 case general anesthesia), 20 patients in GroupI required additional anesthesia (5 cases general anesthesia).Rest all the parameters were comparable.Conclusion: Both the drugs provided effective anesthesia inlow concentrations. However, the quality of anesthesia wasbetter with Ropivacaine compared to Bupivacaine.