[Levobupivacaine for peripheral blocks of the lower limb: a clinical comparison with bupivacaine and ropivacaine].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was the comparison of clinical profile of sciatic nerve block performed with either 0,5% levobupivacaine, 0,5% bupivacaine, or 0,5% ropivacaine.


METHODS
With ethical committee approval and written informed consent 45 ASA physical status I-II patients, undergoing elective hallux valgus repair received intravenous premedication with midazolam (0,05 mg/kg) followed by femoral nerve block with 15 ml of 2% mepivacaine. Then patients were randomly allocated to receive a sciatic nerve block with 20 ml of either 0,5% levobupivacaine (n=15), 0,5% bupivacaine (n=15), or 0,5% ropivacaine (n=15). An independent blind observer evaluated the onset time and duration of nerve block and postoperative analgesia. Postoperative analgesia consisted of 100 mg IV ketoprofen every 8 hours with the first administration at request.


RESULTS
The onset time of sciatic nerve block was 15 (5-60) min with levobupivacaine, 30 (5-60) min with bupivacaine, and 15 (5-60) min with ropivacaine (P = NS). No differences in the quality of nerve block as well as in the nerve block resolution times were observed among the three groups. The duration of postoperative analgesia was 16 (8-24) hours with levobupivacaine, 14 (8-24) hours with bupivacaine, and 17 (8-24) hours with ropivacaine (P=NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Using 0,5% levobupivacaine for sciatic nerve block results in similar clinical effects as those produced by using the same volume and concentration of either bupivacaine or ropivacaine.
Santorsola
R
R
Università Vita e Salute, Dipartimento di Anestesa e Rianimazione, IRCCS H. San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Casati
A
A
Cerchierini
E
E
Moizo
E
E
Fanelli
G
G
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine
Levobupivacaina per i blocchi periferici dell'arta inferiore: un confronto clinico con bupivacaina e ropivacaina.