CLINICAL EFFICACY OF ISOBARIC ROPIVACAINE ALONE AND WITH FENTANYL IN SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED, COMPARATIVE STUDY

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of 4 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine alone and with 25mcg fentanyl in spinal anaesthesia for vaginal hysterectomy regarding sensory and motor block characteristics, success rate, haemodynamic profile and complications. METHODS: Present study was conducted in a randomized double blind fashion on 60 patients, 30 in each group of ASA physical status I-II posted for vaginal hysterectomy. All patients under study were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients in each group using sealed envelope technique. GROUP R: Patients received 4 ml 0.75% Isobaric Ropivacaine hydrochloride [Ropin (neon labs)] GROUP RF: Patients received 4ml 0.75% Isobaric Ropivacaine [Ropin (neon labs)] with 25µg Fentanyl hydrochloride [Fenstud] We evaluated whether addition of fentanyl to intrathecal ropivacaine could make a significant effect on onset and duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block. RESULTS  Isobaric Ropivacaine [4 ml 0.75% (30 mg)] alone and with fentanyl (25mcg) in spinal anaesthesia produced effective sensory-motor blockade of sufficient duration with stable hemodynamic profile to accomplish vaginal hysterectomy.  Addition of fentanyl offered the advantage of accelerating the sensory onset and prolonging the duration of analgesia and sensory block, without affecting sympathetic or motor block characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to early recovery in motor functions and lesser cardio-neuro toxicity, ropivacaine seems to be a good option for spinal anaesthesia.