Abstract

Introduction: Spinal anaesthesia is preferred for caesarean section as it offers a few advantages over general anaesthesia. Aims and Objectives: To study of different doses of intrathecal ropivacaine (I) with respect to anaesthetic parameters in caesarean section. Material and methods: The study was carried out in 60 patients of age group 20-40 years coming for elective caesarean section in the time period from august 2010 to April 2012.Patients were divided in two equal groups, and received intrathecal ropivacaine [I] (0.5%) 3ml or 4ml marketed by neon laboratory as ropivacaine 0.5%(I) USP [united states pharmacopeia] in L3-L4 interspace in left lateral position by spinal needle no. 23G.Statistical analysis done by unpaired t-test. Results: Mean age group-A was 25.83±3.15 years. In group A, mean time for onset of sensory block was 8.33±2min. in group B, mean time for onset of sensory block was 8.40±2.94min (not statistically significant, p=0.93)In group A mean time for duration of sensory block was 152±14.8min. in group B mean time for duration of sensory block was 130±17.4min. (Statistically significant. p=0.0001). The mean time for onset of motor block was 11.00±3.23 min in group A and 9.79±3.45min in group B (with no significant difference among two groups, p=0.19). All patients in ropivacaine 20mg group developed complete motor block of Bromage grade III while 25 patients in ropivacaine 15mg group developed complete motor block of Bromage grade III. Five patients in ropivacaine 15mg group developed motor block of Bromage grade II, (The difference in two groups is statistically significant p=0.010). In group A mean time of duration of motor block was 158±15.9min in group B mean time for duration of motor block was 126±16.2min. he difference in two groups is statistically significant.[p=0.001]. The mean time for supplementation of first analgesic was longer in group A (320±42min) than group B (206±30min). The difference was statistically significant (p=0.0005). Conclusion: We conclude that 20mg isobaric ropivacaine had better efficacy and safety profile as shown by absence of unduly high cephalad spread and absence of severe hypotension and bradycardia.

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