Optimum compatibility of ropivacaine and sufentanil for isobaric spinal anesthesia in caesarean section

Abstract

Objective To investigate the optimum compatibility of ropivacaine and sufentanil for isobaric spinal anesthesia in caesarean section. Methods A total of 160 nulliparous parturients who were at full term with a singleton fetus, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective caesarean section under subarachnoid block, were divided into 4 groups (n=40 each) using a random number table method: 1% ropivacaine 1.5 ml (15 mg)-normal saline 3.5 ml group (group A), 1% ropivacaine 1.2 ml (12 mg)-sufentanil 0.5 ml (5 μg)-normal saline 3.3 ml group (group B), 1% ropivacaine 1 ml (10 mg)-sufentanil 0.5 ml (5 μg)-normal saline 3.5 ml group (group C), and 1% ropivacaine 0.8 ml (8 mg)-sufentanil 0.5 ml (5 μg)-normal saline 3.7 ml group (group D). Drugs were injected in cephalad direction at a rate of 0.1 ml/s.The upper spread of sensory block, degree of motor block, abdominal muscle tension, traction response, requirement for atropine and ephedrine and neonatal Apgar scores were recorded. Results Neonatal Apgar scores were all within the normal range.A, B and C groups had similar upper spread of sensory block which was higher than that in group D. The onset time of block was significantly prolonged, and the requirement for atropine and ephedrine was increased in group A as compared with B, C and D groups (P 0.05). The requirement for supplemented epidural local anesthetics was 30% (12 cases) in group D. The recovery time to ambulation was significantly shorter in C and D groups than in A and B groups(P 0.05). Conclusion One percent ropivacaine 1 ml (10 mg)-sufentanil 0.5 ml (5 μg)-normal saline 3.5 ml is the optimum compatibility of ropivacaine and sufentanil for isobaric spinal anesthesia in caesarean section. Key words: Amides; Sufentanil; Anesthesia, spinal; Cesarean section