WOUND INFILTRATION WITH ROPIVACAINE AND BUPIVACAINE FOR PAIN AFTER INGUINAL HERNIOTOMY

In a double-blind, randomized study, 32 patients scheduled for electiv e inguinal herniotomy under general anaesthesia received subcutaneous infiltration with 40 ml ropivacaine 2.5 mg/ml or bupivacaine. Postoper ative pain intensity was assessed repeatedly for 24 hours at rest, dur ing cough and movement on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by means o f pressure algometry. No differences between pain intensities or wound tenderness were found between the groups. The demand for analgesics w as similar in the two groups. We conclude that incisional ropivacaine is as effective as bupivacaine in the management of post-herniotomy pa in.