title: Efficiency of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine for supraclavicular block: a randomized double-blind comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Success rate of catheter applications is low in supraclavicular block. Thus, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine become important with their long effect time in single injection practices. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness, side effects and complications of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in supraclavicular block.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients aged between 20 and 65, with body weight between 50 and 100 kg, in the ASA I-II-III group who were scheduled for hand, forearm and arm surgery using supraclavicular block were randomized into two groups of 30. The patients received 30 ml 0.5% bupivacaine (Group B) or 30 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine (Group L). Motor and sensory blocks were evaluated. Motor and sensory block onset times, total block durations, postoperative pain, amount of postoperative analgesic used and patient satisfaction were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data, distribution of surgical area and hemodynamic data were similar between the two groups. Surgery, motor and sensory block durations of Group B and L patients did not vary statistically significantly. However, motor and sensory block onset times in Group B were significantly shorter than Group L (p<0.05). The mean time for first postoperative analgesic demand were 16.6 ± 8.0 h in Group B and 14.4 ± 7.3h in Group L (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  30 ml 0.5% bupivacaine and levobupivacaine provide similar block characteristics for supraclavicular block. Bupivacaine leads to faster motor and sensory block onset compared to levobupivacaine however similar duration of postoperative analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cenk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ilham
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bombaci
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: syurtlu68@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Serhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yurtlu
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Çolakoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine
keywords: Bupivacaine; Levobupivacaine; Supraclavicular block