Comparative evaluation of hyperbaric bupivacaine and levobupivacaine as spinal anesthesia agents in females undergoing cesarean section: A clinical study

Abstract

Background: Anesthesia techniques used in obstetrics has a requisite of satisfactory muscle relaxation and adequate analgesia with no to minimal side effects concerning both fetal and maternal aspect related to the anesthetic agent used. Aims: The present study was conducted to comparatively evaluate the clinical outcomes with the use of intrathecal 2.5ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 2.5ml 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine as a spinal anesthetic agent for LSCS (lower segment cesarean section). Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 130 subjects from both genders divided into two groups of 65 subjects each. The parameters recorded in the study were onset time of block from drug administration to L1 level sensation loss, sensory block, motor block, block duration and onset time, and Intraoperative analgesia. Also, quality, duration, pain intensity, and any encountered adverse effects. Results: Onset time was significantly lesser with bupivacaine (p <0.001). Also, the maximum sensory block level was lower in Levobupivacaine along with the time taken by the sensory block to reach the maximum level with p <0.001. In comparison between motor block and sensory block, the motor block has a faster onset and longer duration with o.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with p <0.001. Side effects were few and less severe with Levobupivacaine. Conclusion: The present study concludes that spinal anesthesia administered using either Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine acts as an effective and fast induced regional anesthesia for the Lower segment Caesarean section, where levobupivacaine was found to be the better agent with less motor block time.