A comparative study of effects of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with 0.5% bupivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries

Abstract

Isobaric levobupivacaine is a long acting amide type of local anaesthetic that is S-enantiomer of racemic bupivacaine with clinical profile resembling that of bupivacaine. It has been stated that its faster protein binding rate reflects a decreased degree of toxicity and studies done have supported that it has lesser cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity than bupivacaine. Sixty patients aged between 18yrs and 60yrs of physical status ASA grade 1 and ASA grade 2 undergoing elective upper limb surgeries were included in the study after ethical clearance from the college ethical committee. The mean duration of motor block in Bupivacaine group was 485.33±59.75 min and 467.67±56.85 min in Levobupivacaine group. There was no significant statistical difference seen between the two groups with regards to duration of motor block (p=0.170).