ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This study was designed to compare the efficiency and safety of intrathecal ropivacaine with intrathecal bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in geriatric patients undergoing transurethral resection

Materials and Methods:

Sixty patients, ASA I to III, over 65 years and scheduled for transurethral resection were randomized to receive an intrat-hecal injection of one of two local anesthetic solutions. Group R (n=30) received 3 mL of ropivacaine 7.5 mg mL-1 (22.5 mg) and Group B (n=30) received 3 mL of bupivacaine 5 mg mL-1 (15 mg). The onset time for senso-rial blockade to T10, time to two segment regression of sensorial blockade, time to regression to T10 of sensorial blockade, offset time of motor bloc-kade, hemodynamic parameters, postoperative analgesic requirement time, and side effects were recorded

Results:

The onset time for sensorial blockade at T10, time to two segment regression of sensorial blockade and time to regression to T10 of sensorial blockade were similar in Group R and Group B. The offset time of motor blockade did not differ between the two groups. The variations in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the course of time were similar in the groups. When the side effects of the two groups were compared, bradycardia was found to be signi-ficantly lower in Group R than in Group B. No neurological problems were observed in any patients

Conclusions:

Intrathecal administration of either ropivacaine 22.5 mg or bupivacaine 15 mg was well tolerated and an adequate block for transureth-ral resection was achieved in geriatric patients. Intrathecal ropivacaine is as effective and safe as intrathecal bupivacaine in geriatric patients