P. Marhofer et al., Three-in-one blocks with ropivacaine: Evaluation of sensory onset time andquality of sensory block, ANESTH ANAL, 90(1), 2000, pp. 125-128
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Aneshtesia & Intensive Care","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was to ev
aluate the sensory onset time and the quality of sensory block of ropivacai
ne, a new long-acting local anesthetic, compared with bupivacaine, for 3-in
-1 blocks. Fifty ASA physical status I-III patients undergoing hip surgery
after trauma were randomly assigned to two study groups of 25 patients each
. The two study groups received a 3-in-1 block with either 20 mL of ropivac
aine 0.5% or 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.5%. Blocks in both groups were performe
d using a nerve stimulator. The sensory onset time and the quality of senso
ry block was assessed by pinprick test in the central sensory region of eac
h of the three nerves and compared with the same stimulation in the contral
ateral leg. We used a scale from 100% (normal sensation) to 0% (no sensory
sensation). We did not find significant differences in sensory onset times
between the ropivacaine group and the bupivacaine group (30 +/- 11 vs 32 +/
- 10 min). The quality of sensory blocks was also comparable between the st
udy groups (19% +/- 20% vs 21% +/- 15%). We conclude that the sensory onset
time and quality of sensory block during 3-in-1 blocks performed with ropi
vacaine are comparable to those with bupivacaine. Ropivacaine is described
as being less potent than bupivacaine, making this local anesthetic promisi
ng for 3-in-1 blocks because of its reportedly lower incidence of cardiovas
cular and central nervous system complications. Implications: Ropivacaine 0
.5% has a sensory onset time and quality of sensory block during 3-in-1 blo
cks similar to that of bupivacaine 0.5%. Ropivacaine is described as being
less potent than bupivacaine, making it a promising local anesthetic for 3-
in-1 blocks because of its reportedly lower cardiovascular and central nerv
ous system toxicity.