Combined field block and i.p. instillation of ropivacaine for pain management after laparoscopic sterilization.

We have studied the effect of ropivacaine for combined port site and mesosalpinx infiltration, and peritoneal instillation on pain, nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic sterilization, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 80 patients. The total dose of ropivacaine was 285 mg. All patients received intra- and postoperative NSAID in fixed doses. Abdominal and shoulder pain, nausea and vomiting were recorded during the first 8 h after operation and in a diary for 3 days. In the ropivacaine group, abdominal pain scores were lower during the first 4 h (P < 0.00001), additional use of morphine was less (P < 0.001) and fewer patients had nausea or vomiting during the first 72 h (five vs 14; P < 0.05). There were no signs of local anaesthetic toxicity.

High-dose ropivacaine wound infiltration for pain relief after inguinal hernia repair: a clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early data on ropivacaine, a recently introduced local anesthetic, indicate a longer duration of skin analgesia than with bupivacaine, along with lower toxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL for wound infiltration pain relief after hernia surgery, in higher doses than used before, in an open, nonrandomized design. METHODS: Twenty otherwise healthy men underwent elective unilateral open hernia repair by the same surgeon. General anesthesia was used during surgery, and infiltration of the operating field with 300 mg (n = 10) or 375 mg (n = 10) ropivacaine, 7.5 mg/mL, was employed for postoperative pain relief. Any sign of an adverse event was recorded. Plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were monitored. Pain at rest and on mobilization was regularly assessed over 24 hours by a visual analog scale. Patients' ability to walk and void and the need for supplementary analgesics were recorded. RESULTS: No serious adverse effects occurred. Plasma concentrations showed large variations but no toxic levels. No significant differences between the two groups were detected in pain scores which were low in both groups, at rest or on mobilization, or in the consumption of supplementary analgesics. At 4 hours, 19 patients were able to walk. Within 8 hours of surgery, all patients had passed urine without any problem. Wound healing was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Infiltration of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL during hernia surgery can be employed safely in doses of 300 mg and 375 mg to control pain after hernia surgery. The lower dose is recommended, since the higher one did not give any clinically relevant advantages.

Ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml for elective caesarean section. A clinical and pharmacokinetic comparison of 150 mg and 187.5 mg.

BACKGROUND: The new, long-acting local anaesthetic ropivacaine has shown less systemic toxicity than bupivacaine and a concentration of 7.5 mg/ml can therefore be used for epidural anaesthesia in Caesarean section. The present pilot study was undertaken to find indications for an optimal dosage by comparing the clinical effects, quality of anaesthesia and pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine 150 mg (lower dose = LD) vs 187.5 mg (higher dose = HD) for women undergoing elective Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia. METHODS: Sixteen full-term women scheduled for elective Caesarean section in two equal-sized consecutive groups received 20 or 25 ml ropivacaine epidurally in this non-randomised, open study. Study parameters included sensory and motor blockade, circulatory response, intraoperative pain and discomfort, neonatal evaluation and pharmacokinetic determinations. RESULTS: Block height varied between T5 and T2 in the LD group, whereas the HD group produced 4 unnecessarily high blocks (C8 in 3 women and C7 in 1 woman). Surgical anaesthesia was excellent in both groups. Circulatory stability was pronounced in the LD group (no ephedrine given), while 4 women required ephedrine in the HD group. Neonatal outcome as judged by Apgar scores; umbilical blood gas determinations and NACS scores were excellent in both groups. The plasma concentration-time profiles indicated linearity in the concentration range studied, with similar clearance values to those reported previously. Placental drug equilibrium was rapid; however, the foetal drug exposure depended on intrauterine exposure time. CONCLUSIONS: 20-25 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml produced very satisfactory conditions for elective Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia. In this small population, 150 mg ropivacaine seemed optimal, while 187.5 mg produced unnecessarily extended block height in 50% of the women.