English

Abstract

Spinal anaesthesia is very popular for cesarean section and currently both hyperbaric and plain solutions of local anaesthesia along with opioids are used. Difference in the baricity can affect the intrathecal distribution of local anaesthetics. AIM: We compared the effects of intrathecal hyperbaric (heavy) 0.5% bupivacaine and isobaric (plain) 0.75%ropivacaine combined with 25micro grams fentanyl regarding the degree of sensory and motor block, quality of intraoperative anaesthesia, side effects and post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing cesarean section by doing a randomized controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty women undergoing caesarean section were randomized into two groups, Group BF (n=30), group RF (n= 30). Group BF received 10 mg (2 ml) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25µgs of preservative free fentanyl and Group RF received 15mgs (2ml) 0.75% plain Ropivacaine (isobaric) with 25µgs of fentanyl for spinal anaesthesia. In case of insufficient blocks both the groups were supplemented with analgesic dose of ketamine. RESULTS: No difference was observed in onset time, highest level and recovery of sensory block. Recovery of motor block was slightly prolonged in RF group. The incidence of insufficient block requiring ketamine supplementation and duration of postoperative analgesia was same in both groups. The side effects were also similar in both the groups except for hypotension lower systolic pressure in BF group. The neonatal outcome was unaffected. CONCLUSION: In this study we did not find any difference in the two groups despite difference in density suggesting that the spread of spinal solution is not dependent on density in patients undergoing caesarean section.