Comparison of epidural analgesia using 0.2% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine for the management of postoperative pain in major orthopedic surgery

Abstract

Introduction:Ropivacaine is preferred over racemic bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia as it is less cardiotoxic and has high selectivity for sensory fibers. We aim to compare postoperative epidural analgesia using 0.2% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine in major lower limb orthopedic surgery.Materials and Methods:In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 100 patients, aged 18–70 years, undergoing elective major lower limb orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia, were randomly allocated to receive either 7 ml ropivacaine 0.2% (Group R) or 7 ml bupivacaine 0.2% (Group B) for postoperative analgesia through a lumbar epidural catheter. The onset and duration of epidural analgesia, total epidural dose requirement, mean number of epidural topup, rescue analgesia, incidence of motor blockade, and adverse effects were recorded.Results:No differences were noted in demographic data and hemodynamic variables in either group. The onset time of epidural analgesia was 10.46 min ± 0.68 (Group B) and 10.52 min ± 0.71 (Group R). The duration of analgesia was 253.10 ± 17.46 min (Group B) and 251.80 ± 15.77 min (Group R). The total analgesic dose requirement was 78.40 mg ± 6.93 in Group B while in Group R, it was 78.96 mg ± 6.79. Epidural topup requirement and the need for rescue analgesia were similar in both the groups. Motor blockade, hypotension, and nausea were noted more in Group B compared to Group R.Conclusion:In patients undergoing major lower limb orthopedic surgery under subarachnoid block, epidural ropivacaine 0.2% produces effective postoperative analgesia similar to bupivacaine 0.2% with a distinct sensory-motor dissociation resulting in analgesia without motor blockade.

Local Infiltration of Bupivacaine versus Placebo for Post-Operative Pain Relief Following Elective Lichtenstein Hernioplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Pain is defined by International Association for the Study of Pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage" [1]. Any surgical procedure causes postoperative pain that should be alleviated as soon and as effective as possible to reduce European Journal of Medical and Educational Technologies 2020; 13(3): em2011 suffering, to promote the healing process to prevent complications.…”

Dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl added to bupivacaine for epidural analgesia in combination with general anesthesia for elective lumbar disc operations: A prospective, randomized double-blinded study

“…A previously published study had reported minimal affection of motor function using this bupivacaine concentration. [ 25 ]…”