Abstract

Introduction: The goal for postoperative pain management is to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort with a minimum of side effects. Post-operative epidural analgesia provides better static and dynamic pain relief. Ropivacaine is less neuro and cardiotoxic when compared to Bupivacaine with minimal motor blockade thus facilitating early post-operative mobilization.
Aims and Objectives: To Compare Lumbar Epidural Analgesia using 0.25% Bupivacaine (10ml) and 0.2% Ropivacaine (10ml) for post-operative analgesia in abdominal surgeries.
Materials and Methods: A Randomized Comparative Study was conducted on Sixty (60) adult patients of either sex divided in to two equal groups with age group 20-65 years with physical status ASA I, II undergoing abdominal surgeries. At the end of surgery when the patient complained of pain Group B received 10ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and Group R received 10ml of 0.2% ropivacaine as post-operative analgesia.
Results: Both the group B (236.40 ± 29.55 minutes) and group R (244 ± 27.95 minutes) produced almost same duration of post-operative analgesia, but hemodynamic instability was seen with Group B (53.3% reported hypotension and 13.3% reported nausea) along with delay in recovery of motor activity.
Discussion: Group B shows statistical significance with Group R in (HR, SBP, DBP) in first 60 minutes required vasopressor. Group B shows statistical similarity with Group R (P value >0.05) in (HR, SBP, DBP) after 60 minutes, RR, SPO2, onset and duration of analgesia, VAS score, Patient satisfaction score. Group R has less complications than Group B, hence proves statistically significant (P value <0.05).
Conclusion: Post-operative analgesia with 0.2% Ropivacaine provides excellent pain relief with hemodynamic stability and early post-operative ambulation