Bupivacaine is the most commonly used drug for spinal anesthesia. Ropivacaine is a relatively new enantomerically pure isomer of bupivacaine with a low pKa and low lipid solubility as well as less cardiotoxicity with a possibility of shorter duration of sensory as well as motor block compared to bupivacaine. The shorter duration of block could be helpful in early ambulation and early discharge particularly in day care settings.