Comparative Study between Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine Plus Fentanyl for Spinal Anesthesia

Introduction: Spinal anesthesia is preferred over general anesthesia due to the ease of administration, minimal systemiceffects, and reduced post-operative morbidity. A number of anesthetic agents and adjuvants have been tried over the years, toachieve optimal effects. This study compares the efficacy of ropivacaine versus ropivacaine plus fentanyl as spinal anesthetics.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 100 American Society of Anaesthesiologists Grades I and II patients,having no comorbidities and scheduled for surgery of up to 200 min. They were randomly divided into two Groups: Group I(Ropivacaine) and Group II (Ropivacaine and Fentanyl). Intraoperative and post-operative vitals, analgesic parameters, andside effects were monitored.Results: The onset of both sensory and motor blockade was faster, and the duration of the blockade was longer with theaddition of fentanyl to ropivacaine. Ropivacaine is a safe drug in terms of cardiorespiratory stability and other side effects. Theaddition of fentanyl did not alter the beneficial side effect profile of ropivacaine.Conclusion: Ropivacaine is a safe anesthetic in terms of cardiorespiratory stability and side effects. The addition of fentanyl toropivacaine significantly potentiates the block, both sensory and motor, without altering the beneficial effects of cardiorespiratorystability and side effect profile.