ABSTRACT : This study was undertaken to compare 0.75% Ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine as local anaesthetics for epidural anaesthesia in elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to compare 0.75% Ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine as local anaesthetics for epidural anaesthesia in elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.

METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients, aged 18 to 55 years, at KIMS Hospital, Amalapuram. Scheduled for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries, belonging to ASA class I and II were give epidural anaesthesia, using bupivacaine 0.5% 15 ml (group B) and Ropivacaine 0.75% 15 ml (group R). Assessment of the sensory and motor blockade were done at intervals till maximum level achieved and there duration.

RESULTS: Our results showed no significant difference between the groups regarding sensory and motor onset time and time to attain maximum level of sensory block. But, Significant difference in the intensity of motor blockade and the time to attain the maximum motor blockade. Sixteen patients in group R had grade 4 motor blockade whereas 5 patients had grade 4 blockade in group B and the time to attain maximum motor blockade was 32.53±14.1 mins and 22±9.7 mins in group R and group B respectively. There is also highly significant difference in the total duration of analgesia (235.4±61.8 mins in group R and 197.3±34.5 mins in group B) and motor blockade (215.3±54.1 mins in group R and 174.6±34.6 in group B).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION It is concluded that epidural ropivacaine 0.75% produces a more intense and prolonged motor blockade and sensory blockade than 0.5% bupivacaine. Ropivacaine 0.75% can be aeffective local anaesthetic for epidural blockade in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries