Ropivacaine 0.2% And Lignocaine 0.5% in Intravenous Regional Anaesthesia

Abstract

Introduction- Ropivacaine has been compared with lignocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA). Aim of this study were to evaluate the anesthetic efficacy, post block residual analgesia, and any toxicity of two local anesthetics (LA) agents-ropivacaine and lignocaine. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II who were scheduled to undergo forearm and hand surgery were randomly allocated to administration of 40 ml of either 0.2% ropivacaine or 0.5% lignocaine for IVRA. Onset and regression of sensory and motor block were assessed by response to pinprick and by testing hand movements, respectively. Visual analog scores (VAS) were assessed intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Adequate surgical anesthesia was provided with both ropivacaine and lignocaine. The mean sensory block onset and regression times were significantly delayed with ropivacaine as compared to lignocaine (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, the VAS was significantly lower in ropivacaine group in the first 90 min. Time to the first analgesic drug in the postoperative period was significantly longer in ropivacaine group (44 ± 11.04 min) as compared to lignocaine group (28 ± 9.32 min). None of the patients in any group showed any evidence of local anesthetic toxicity. Conclusions: IVRA for upper limb surgery using 0.2% ropivacaine is a better option as compared to 0.5% lignocaine as it provides longer postoperative analgesia.