Abstract

For spinal anaesthesia, levobupivacaine is considered an effective alternative anesthetic agent to conventional bupivacaine owing to the faster recovery profile and lower probability of cardiovascular toxicity. Aim: To comparatively assess the analgesic and hemodynamic features of conventional dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine to isobaric levobupivacaine used for infra umbilical surgeries. Methods: Thepresent clinical study included 120 subjects from ASA I and ASA II categories presented for elective infra umbilical surgeries and were randomly divided into 2 groups of 60 subjects each. Group, I subjects was given 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine at the dose of 3ml, and Group II was given 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine at the dose of 3ml. Hemodynamic parameters including SpO2, NIBP, and heart rates were assessed every 15 minutes till 2 hours postoperative. Side effects including nausea and vomiting, bradycardia, and hypotension were also evaluated. Results: Sensory block onset was slower in the levobupivacaine group and sensory block levels were comparable. For levobupivacaine, analgesia duration was significantly lower. With levobupivacaine, shorter motor blockade duration and slower motor blockade onset were seen. Complete motor blockade was seen in all subjects. Concerning hemodynamic parameters, lesser incidence of bradycardia and hypotension and high cardiovascular stability was observed. No incidence of PDPH, shivering, nausea, or vomiting was seen in any subject. Conclusion: The present study concludes that significantly similar effects concerning analgesia duration are seen with Bupivacaine as with levobupivacaine. However, Bupivacaine showed better cardiovascular stability making Levobupivacaine use successful for lower abdominal surgeries.

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