Abstract

Lower limb surgeries can be performed under general, regional and peripheral nerve block anesthesia. Yet post-operative pain and anesthetic side effects remain a problem. Regional blocks for lower limb like, paravertebral block, lumbar plexus block, femoral block, 3 in 1 block, sciatic nerve block, popliteal nerve block, ankle block, ring block involve the unilateral administration of local anesthetics to the nerve roots, nerves and related dermatomes. A prospective randomized study was conducted in patients who underwent lower limb surgeries. After obtaining the institution’s ethical committee clearance, 100 cases who met a pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were chosen. Written informed consent was obtained from all the patients before randomizing into Group R (0.5% Ropivacaine) and Group L (0.5% Levobupivacaine) using computer based tables. The onset and duration of sensory block in Group L and Group R were significantly different. The onset of both sensory and motor block was significantly less, and duration was significantly higher in the R group compared to Group L (p<0.05). In the post-operative period, patients in both group L and R did not require analgesics in first 24 hrs.

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