A prospective, randomized, double-blinded comparison of ropivacaine 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% ropivacaine for peribulbar block.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of three different concentrations of ropivacaine (0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) together with a single concentration of hyaluronidase administered for peribulbar block.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Anesthesia department of a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
68 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing elective cataract surgery.


METHODS
Patients were randomly allocated to receive peribulbar block with 6.5 mL of either 0.5% (Group Ropi-5; n = 22), 0.75% (Group Ropi-7.5; n = 22), or 1% ropivacaine (Group Ropi-10; n = 24). In all patients, 0.5 mL of hyaluronidase was added to the local anesthetic solution.


RESULTS
A larger proportion of patients in Groups Ropi-7.5 (82%) and Ropi-10 (83%) showed complete motor block 15 minutes after injection compared with Group Ropi-5 (55%;p = 0.05, andp = 0.03, respectively). Hypotension (reduction of systolic blood pressure by 30% or more from baseline) was observed in two Group Ropi-5 patients (9%), and two Group Ropi-7.5 patients (9%;p = 0.31), whereas bradycardia (reduction in heart rate < or = 50 bpm) was observed in one Group Ropi-5 patient (4%), and three Group Ropi-10 patients (12%;p = 0.18). Seven hours after surgery, a smaller proportion of Group Ropi-10 patients (64%) showed complete recovery of sensory function as compared with both Group Ropi-5 (94%) and Group Ropi-7.5 (90%;p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Complete recovery of motor function 1 hour after surgery was more frequent in Group Ropi-5 (37%) than in Group Ropi-7.5 (5%) or Group Ropi-10 (9%;p = 0.05 and p = 0.05, respectively); however, no other differences in recovery of motor function were observed at any other observation times, with complete recovery in all patients 7 hours after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
While confirming that ropivacaine is a good option for peribulbar anesthesia, this study demonstrated that the use of 0.75% or 1% concentrations are preferred in that they produce quick and deep sensory and motor block of the operated eye. If recovery of normal motor function is important after surgery, the 0.75% concentration probably represents the best compromise.
Gioia
Luigi
L
Department of Anesthesiology, Vita-Salute University of Milano and IRCCS H. San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Fanelli
Guido
G
Casati
Andrea
A
Nuti
Umberto
U
Mennella
Roberta
R
Scarioni
Monica
M
Cerchierini
Elisa
E
Sciascia
Angela
A
Garassino
Alessandra
A
Torri
Giorgio
G
Fasce
Francesco
F
Bolognesi
Gianluigi
G
D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase