Comparative Clinical Study Between Racemic Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine in Supraclavicular   Brachial Plexus Block

Jyoti Pushkar Deshpande; Poonam S. Ghodaki; Shalini Sardesai

Volume : IV, Issue : V, May - 2014

Comparative Clinical Study Between Racemic Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

Jyoti Pushkar Deshpande, Poonam S. Ghodaki, Shalini Sardesai

Abstract :

Background & Aims: Levobupivacaine, the pure s–enantiomer of bupivacaine is newer local anaesthetic with similar anaesthetic qualities of racemic but reduced toxic profile. We conducted the present study to evaluate and compare the differences in onset, duration and the quality of sensory and motor blockade of racemic bupivacaine versus levobupivacaine in supraclavicular achial plexus block. Methods: After clearance from institutional ethical committee, a double blind prospective randomized study carried out on 60 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical statuses I and II patients of either sex, aged 18 –60 years undergoing upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular block. The patients were randomly assigned to either Group B: Bupivacaine 0.5% (0.4ml/kg) or Group L: Levobupivacaine 0.5% (o.4ml/kg) of 30 each, using a computer generated random number list. We used Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) software, Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) for compå the age, weight, Chi– square for gender, ASA physical status and incidences of complication in either groups. Fisher test was applied for analysing the difference in onset, duration and quality of block. Results: Onset of both sensory and motor block was found to be early with levobupivacaine with a statistically high significance. The duration of sensory, motor block and analgesia was prolonged with levobupivacaine. Complete failure or toxicity was reported in neither group. Conclusions: Levobupivacaine is a newer, safer and longer acting local anaesthetic with rapid onset and block quality similar to the racemic bupivacaine. We recommend its use where prolonged duration of analgesia is considered.