Key result
0.5% ropivacaine demonstrated significantly faster sensory block onset (16.7 vs 17.58 minutes) and longer sensory block duration (9.23 vs 7.42 hours) compared to 0.5% bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks.
Why the study?
Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is widely utilized for upper limb surgeries, but the relative efficacy and safety of 0.5% bupivacaine versus 0.5% ropivacaine needed comparison.
Does 0.5% ropivacaine improve sensory and motor block characteristics compared to 0.5% bupivacaine in patients undergoing elective upper limb surgeries?
Observational (n=42)
Consecutive sampling
No
Does 0.5% ropivacaine improve sensory and motor block characteristics compared to 0.5% bupivacaine in patients undergoing elective upper limb surgeries?
In supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks, 0.5% ropivacaine provides faster sensory onset, longer sensory duration, and prolonged analgesia with reduced motor blockade compared to 0.5% bupivacaine.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Ropivacaine may favor supraclavicular blocks for upper-limb procedures; leaves open confirmation in randomized trials before practice change.
Background: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is a widely utilized regional anesthesia technique for upper limb surgeries. This study compared the efficacy and safety of 0.5% bupivacaine versus 0.5% ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled 42 patients scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries over six months. Patients were allocated using consecutive sampling: Group B (n=21) received 0.5% bupivacaine, and Group R (n=21) received 0.5% ropivacaine. Primary outcomes included onset times and duration of sensory and motor blockade. Secondary outcomes included hemodynamic parameters, time to first rescue analgesia, and complications. Results: Demographic characteristics were comparable between groups. Group R demonstrated significantly faster sensory block onset (16.7±1.1 vs 17.58±1.14 minutes, p=0.014), while Group B showed faster motor block onset (21±1.06 vs 22.28±1.16 minutes, p=0.006). Duration of sensory block was significantly longer in Group R (9.23±1.10 vs 7.42±1.04 hours, p<0.001), whereas motor block duration was longer in Group B (9.76±1.19 vs 8.90±1.064 hours, p=0.0179). Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group R (11.3±0.72 vs 10.7±0.76 hours, p=0.013). Hemodynamic parameters remained stable with no significant differences between groups. No major complications occurred in either group. Conclusion: Both agents provide effective regional anesthesia with excellent safety profiles. However, ropivacaine demonstrates superior clinical characteristics including faster sensory onset, longer sensory duration, and prolonged analgesia with reduced motor blockade, making it the preferred choice for supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks.
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Baby et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Elective upper limb surgeries (n=42). 0.5% Ropivacaine vs. 0.5% Bupivacaine was evaluated on Onset of sensory block (minutes) (p=0.014). 0.5% ropivacaine demonstrated significantly faster sensory block onset (16.7 vs 17.58 minutes) and longer sensory block duration (9.23 vs 7.42 hours) compared to 0.5% bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks.
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