A comparison of epidural ropivacaine 0.75% and bupivacaine 0.5% with fentanyl for elective caesarean section

BACKGROUND

Early studies suggested that ropivacaine had clinical advantages over bupivacaine with respect to cardiotoxicity and motor block, and that it was suitable for epidural caesarean section. This study was set up to compare epidural 0.75% ropivacaine with a popular bupivacaine/fentanyl mixture for elective caesarean section.

METHODS

Eighty women having elective caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive 20 mL of either 0.75% ropivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine plus fentanyl 100 microg. Supplementation with 2% plain lidocaine was used where necessary. Times were recorded for onset of sensory block, density and duration of motor block, and the need for supplementation.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the groups in the time (mean [SD]) to achieve sensory blockade to cold to T4 (ropivacaine 15.8 [5.6] min, bupivacaine/fentanyl 18.7 [9.1] min, P=0.13) or to S1 (ropivacaine 18.3 [4.6] min, bupivacaine/fentanyl 17.4 [7.6] min, P=0.59), or in the need for supplementation. However, ropivacaine produced a motor block that was denser (median Bromage score ropivacaine 3, bupivacaine/fentanyl 1.5, P=0.0041), and of longer duration (ropivacaine 237 [84] min, bupivacaine/fentanyl 144 [76] min, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that epidural 0.75% ropivacaine without opioid may be used as an alternative to bupivacaine 0.5% with fentanyl for elective caesarean section, but it does not induce anaesthesia any faster and may result in a denser, more prolonged, motor block.