Unilateral spinal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair: a prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, or ropivacaine

Aim. The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind study was to compare duration of spinal anesthesia and time required to fulfil discharge criteria after spinal anesthesia performed with equipotent closes of 0.5%hyperbaric bupivacaine, 0.5% hyperbaric levobupivacaine, or 0.5% hyperbaric ropivacaine. Methods. With ethical committee approval and written patient's consent, 60 ASA physical status I-II patients, undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia were prospectively studied. Patients were premedicated with intravenous midazolam (0.03 mg/kg) after standard volume expansion with 500 ml Ringer's acetate solution. Patients were then placed in the lateral decubitus position with the operated side dependent. According to a computer generated randomisation sequence patients were then randomly allocated to receive 8 ing hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (n=20), 8 mg hyperbaric levobupivacaine 0.5% (n=20), or 12 mg hyperbaric ropivacaine 0.5% (n=20). Dural puncture was performed at the L2-L3 interspace using a 25 Gauge Whitacre spinal.