Ropivacaine Versus Lidocaine for Episiotomy-a Randomised Double Blind Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Episiotomy is a most common surgical procedure for parturients during vaginal delivery. The problem encountered with episiotomy is pain, which is maximum during first 24 hours and may be severe enough to disturb the puerperium. This study aims to compare analgesic efficacy of analgesics, ropivacaine and lidocaine for perineal infiltration during episiotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a randomised double blind study for a period one year from August 2013 in a tertiary hospital. 100 parturients were included. RESULTS Ropivacaine 0.75% compared to lidocaine 2% did not show any statistical significant changes at suturing and after 4 hours; however, there were great statistically significant changes in VAS scores after 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours of episiotomy suturing. Ropivacaine group did not require systemic analgesics for 24 hours, but lidocaine group required systemic analgesics after 4 hours of suturing. Both groups (Ropivacaine and Lidocaine) did not have any adverse effects. CONCLUSION Ropivacaine can be used safely for episiotomy wound infiltration thereby reducing the need for systemic analgesia.

Local Wound Infiltration with Ropivacaine for Postoperative Pain Control in Caesarean Section

“…Mainly intermediate and long-acting anesthetic agents are used like ropivacaine and bupivacaine. Ropivacaine is less lipophilic than bupivacaine, therefore, has a significantly higher threshold for cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity than bupivacaine [9]. That is the reason for it being widely used as a long-acting regional anesthetic while reducing the potential toxicity and improving relative sensory and motor block profiles simultaneously.…”