Ropivacaine in peribulbar block: a comparative study with bupivacaine.
BACKGROUND
Ropivacaine is a new local anesthetic with alleged lower systemic toxicity and slightly lower potency as compared with bupivacaine. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine in peribulbar block, as compared with that of bupivacaine.


METHODS
Eighty patients aged 45-92 years with physical status ASA I, II, or III were randomized to Group R (n=40) or Group B (n=40). Group R received 8.0 ml of 1.0% ropivacaine and Group B received 8.0 ml of 0.75% bupivacaine, both solutions with 50 IU/ml hyaluronidase, to induce peribulbar block according to the double-injection technique. Decreased ocular motility was the only criterion of successful block.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients with decreased ocular motility showing successful block was higher in Group R 1 and 5 min after injection. A score indicating successful peribulbar block was found in all patients 10 min after injection. While no patient complained of a burning sensation during ropivacaine injection, 22.5% of the patients given bupivacaine reported this symptom.


CONCLUSIONS
Both local anesthetics were effective in inducing peribulbar block for intraocular surgery. A tendency was noted to a faster onset of peribulbar block with ropivacaine; nevertheless, both drugs had a high degree of success for this block.
Nociti
J R
JR
Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital Santa Casa de Misericordia de Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Serzedo
P S
PS
Zuccolotto
E B
EB
Cagnolati
C A
CA
Nunes
A M
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005123:Eye / Q000294:innervation*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D002045:Bupivacaine