Comparison of the Efficiency of Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Surgery

Objective: To compare the efficiency of ropivacaine and bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing lower limb surgery.Methods: Eighty patients were randomly divided into two groups.Group R(n=40) received intrathecally 3 ml of ropivacaine 5 mg/ml and Group B(n=40) received intrathecally 3 ml of bupivacaine 5 mg/ml.The degree of sensory block,the onset time and duration were recorded.The quality of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation during operation were assessed and the adverse effects were also recorded.Results:The onset time of motor block was significantly longer and the duration of motor and sensory block was significantly shorter in Group R than that of Group B(P0.05).There was no significant difference in the onset time of sensory block(P0.05).The quality of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation were good in both groups and there was no significant difference(P0.05).Conclusion: The quality of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation were good during operation in patients undergoing lower limb surgery when the spinal anesthesia was performed with ropivacaine.The duration of motor block of ropivacaine is shorter than that of bupivacaine.4tabs.,7refs.