Levobupivacaine is the pure S (−)-enantiomer of bupivacaine. It has emerged as a safer alternative drug compared to its racemic bupivacaine. It has less affinity and depressant effects on myocardial and central nervous tissue in pharmacodynamic studies. It has a superior pharmacokinetic profile. We conducted this clinical comparative study on its intrathecal administration of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia to evaluate the anaesthetic potencies. Hundred patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy received either 3.5 mL levobupivacaine 0.5% isobaric or 3.5 mL bupivacaine 0.5% isobaric. Sensory blockade was tested with the pinprick test; motor blockade was assessed by using a modified Bromage score. Hemodynamic variables like blood pressure, heart rate and pulse oximetry were recorded. Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine produced comparable surgical sensory block with minimum adverse side effects. Differences between levobupivacaine and bupivacaine were insignificant. The onset time of sensory block of levobupivacaine was 8+/- 3.5 and bupivacaine was 7.2 +/- 2.6 min. Onset time of motor block of levobupivacaine was 12 +/- 1.5 and bupivacaine was 10 +/- 1.7 min. The duration of sensory block of levobupivacaine was 248 +/- 60 and bupivacaine was 280 +/- 40 min and motor blockade was of levobupivacaine was 190 +/- 50 and bupivacaine was 230 +/- 60 min. Both groups showed slight variation in heart rate and mean arterial pressure, but there was no intergroup difference in hemodynamic variables. We conclude that intrathecallevobupivacaine is less efficient to racemic bupivacaine.

1. VannaChumsang L, Thongmee S Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for transurethral endoscopic surgery. J Med Assoc Thai2006;89:1133-9. 2. Alley EA, Kopacz DJ, McDonald SB, Liu SS. Hyperbaric spinal levobupivacaine: A comparison to racemic bupivacaine in volunteers. AnesthAnalg 2002;94:188-93. 3. Glaser C, Marhofer P, Zimpfer G, Heinz MT, Sitzwohl C, Kapral S, et al. Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. AnesthAnalg 2002;94:194-8. 4. Lee YY, Muchhal K, Chan CK. Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for urological surgery. Anaesth Intensive Care 2003;31:637-41.

We conducted this clinical comparative study on its intrathecal administration of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia to evaluate the anaesthetic potencies. Hundred patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy received either 3.5 mL levobupivacaine 0.5% isobaric or 3.5 mL bupivacaine 0.5% isobaric. Sensory blockade was tested with the pinprick test; motor blockade was assessed by using a modified Bromage score. Hemodynamic variables like blood pressure, heart rate and pulse oximetry were recorded.

Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine produced comparable surgical sensory block with minimum adverse side effects. Differences between levobupivacaine and bupivacaine were insignificant. The onset time of sensory block of levobupivacaine was 8+/- 3.5 and bupivacaine was 7.2 +/- 2.6 min. Onset time of motor block of levobupivacaine was 12 +/- 1.5 and bupivacaine was 10 +/- 1.7 min. The duration of sensory block of levobupivacaine was 248 +/- 60 and bupivacaine was 280 +/- 40 min and motor blockade was of levobupivacaine was 190 +/- 50 and bupivacaine was 230 +/- 60 min. Both groups showed slight variation in heart rate and mean arterial pressure, but there was no intergroup difference in hemodynamic variables.