Levobupivacaine vs. racemic bupivacaine in peribulbar anaesthesia: a randomized double blind study in ophthalmic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The Authors examine the employement of a new anaesthetic agent, levobupivacaine 0.50% (S - enantiomer of racemic mixture of bupivacaine), for peribulbar anaesthesia in a randomized double blind study vs. racemic bupivacaine 0.50% alone or in association with hyaluronidase 10 IU x ml(-1).


METHODS
120 patients were divided into four groups of 30 each: group L (levobupivacaine 0.50%), group B (racemic bupivacaine 0.50%), group LH (levobupivacaine-hyaluronidase 10 IU x ml(-1)), group BH (racemic bupivacaine-hyaluronidase 10 IU x ml(-1)).


RESULTS
The onset-time (14 +/- 3.2 min vs. 13 +/- 4.8 min) and the duration of anaesthesia (195 +/- 34.2 vs. 204 +/- 37.6) were similar. The ocular akinesia was evaluated with an 8 point system: it was considered sufficient for surgery with values of less than 5 points. The association with hyaluronidase increased the spread of local anaesthetics (76.6% of group LH, 73.3% of group BH) with local anaesthetics alone (60% of group L, 56.6% of group B). Moderate hypotension (<30% baseline) was reported in 3 patients (10%) of group L, 2 (6.6%) of group B, 1 (3.3%) of group LH and 2 (6.6%) of group BH. Statistical analysis (Student-Newman-Keuls test) was significant between group L vs. BH, B vs. BH and LH vs. BH as regards onset-time of anaesthesia; between group B vs. LH, B vs. BH and L vs. LH for the duration of anaesthesia. Chi square test for the general akinesia score showed significant results in group L vs. LH (p=0.043) and B vs. LH 8P =0.018); as regards the score 0, test reported significant values between groups B vs. LH (p=0.004) and B vs. BH (p=0.017).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion levobupivacaine, a longlasting local anaesthetic with limited cardio and neurotoxicity, might be useful for vitreoretinal surgery in elderly patients, compared with general anaesthesia.
Pacella
E
E
Ophthalmological Science Department, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy. pacella.ferny@libero.it
Collini
S
S
Pacella
F
F
Piraino
D C
DC
Santamaria
V
V
De Blasi
R A
RA
D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine