Strength and sensation after epidural ropivacaine in men and women.

Abstract

We injected 15ml epidural ropivacaine in 30 men and 30 women to determine the median dose required to impair a straight-leg raise. We started at a concentration of 0.425%, increasing the concentration by 0.025% after an ineffective injection and decreasing the concentration by 0.025% after an effective injection. The median (95% CI) concentration of ropivacaine that prevented straight-leg raise within 30min of injection was 0.43% (0.41-0.45%) in men and 0.40% (0.39-0.41%) in women, p=0.001. There were no differences in dermatome levels for loss of pinprick and cold sensation between men and women.