Comparison of intrathecal hyperbaric and isobaric levobupivacaine in urological surgery.

AIM: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric and isobaric solutions of intrathecal levobupivacaine for transurethral endoscopic surgery. METHODS: Urological patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. The heavy group received 13.5 mg of hyperbaric levobupivacaine, while the plain group received 13.5 mg isobaric levobupivacaine, both intrathecally in a 3 mL total volume. Sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameters, pain scores, adverse effects, and analgesic requirements of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: Values of the time to onset of T10 sensory block, time to maximum sensory block, regression to L1 dermatome, time to motor block Bromage 1, time to motor block Bromage 3, and time to the end of motor block (Bromage 0) were all smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (all P values <0.05). No difference between the groups with regard to time to two segment regression of sensory block could be detected. The mean duration of initial analgesic effect, extent of maximal block, and side effects were the same in both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric levobupivacaine was superior to the isobaric form in spinal anesthesia for transurethral resection.