Comparison of 3 doses of ropivacaine for epidural anesthesia in transurethral surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of 3 different doses of ropivacaine on the quality of anesthesia and hemodynamics in epidural anesthesia for transurethral surgery. METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey, between May 2004 and June 2006. The study recruited 81 males of ASA I- II group, ages 60-80 years, undergoing transurethral resection of prostate or bladder tumors. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving epidural ropivacaine in different doses and concentrations. Group I (n=27) received 15 ml (102.5mg) of 0.75% solution, group II (n=27) received 10 ml (75 mg) of 0.75% solution, and group III (n=27) received 10 ml (50mg) 0.5% ropivacaine. The quality of the blocks and the hemodynamic changes were compared. RESULTS: Motor block was significantly less in group III than in groups I and II. The sensory block level was T6 or more in 55% of patients in group I, 35% in group II, and 21% in group III. The duration of sensory block was less, and the time to achieve the T10 level was greater in group III. Hypotension and bradycardia were more frequent in group I. CONCLUSION: Effective anesthesia with few side effects was obtained with low dose ropivacaine.