Abstract

Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric and isobaric solutions of intrathecal levobupivacaine for transurethral endoscopic surgery.

Patients and Methods: The study included urological patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under spinal anesthesia. The cases were randomly divided into three groups of 20 patients each. Group 1 received 13.5 mg hyperbaric levobupivacaine, group 2 received 12.5 mg isobaric levobupivacaine and group 3 received 15 mg isobaric levobupivacaine in a total volume of 3 ml intrathecally. Sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameters, pain scores, adverse effects and analgesic requirements of the patients were recorded.

Results: The time to reach T10 sensory block and the onset time to Bromage 0 were statistically different among the three groups (p<0.05). The mean time to reach T10 was significantly lower in group 1 when compared with group 2 (p<0.001). Regarding the mean onset time to Bromage 0, group 1 had a lower mean value than that of group 3 (p<0.001). The mean duration for analgesic requirement was longer in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively).

Conclusion: We concluded that the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric levobupivacaine was superior to the isobaric forms in spinal anesthesia for transurethral endoscopic surgery.