Comparision of 1% Chloroprocaine With 0.5% Bupivacaine in Spinal Anaesthesia for Short Duration Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Background: Search of a newer and safer anesthetic has always been a need in anaesthesiology. Reliable  surgical  anesthesia  should  be  fast,  with  rapid  recovery  and minimal  side  effects.  Lignocaine and bupivacaine are commonly used anesthetic agents but they have their side effects, a preservative-free 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP) seems to be a promising, being a short-acting agent of increasing popularity in recent years.

Aims & Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare subarachnoid block with 1% 2-Chloroprocaine and 0.5% Bupivacaine with respect to  total duration of the sensory  and motor blockade and time for complete regression of sensory and motor block.

Materials and Methods: A double blinded randomised controlled trial was carried out on 100 patients undergoing short duration ambulatory surgical procedures in only emergency operation theatre under subarachnoid block. They were randomly assigned into two groups of 50 each. Group B was administered 3cc of 0.5% Bupivacaine while patients in Group C were administered 3cc of 1% 2-Chloroprocaine intathecally. The extent and the duration of sensory and motor blockade, time required for complete regression of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic stability and time for complete ambulation were assessed in two groups.

Results: The time for onset of sensory and motor blockade as well as the time taken to attain the highest level of blocked sensory dermatome and degree of motor blockade was similar in both the groups. All the patients developed complete motor blockade.

Conclusion: intrathecal 2-Chloroprocaine 30 mg produces a satisfactory block for short surgical procedures lasting <60 min duration and is a better alternative than bupivacaine for such procedures.