Comparison of Hyperbaric Levobupivacaine with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Operations Performed Under Spinal Anesthesia

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare hyperbaric bupivacaine used for spinal anesthesia in the patients with inguinal hernia with the same amount of hyperbaric levobupivacaine. Materials and methods: Forty ASAI-II patients, with a unilateral inguinal hernia operation planned under spinal anesthesia by the surgeon, were included in the study. It was planned that the study be prospective and double-blind. The patients were allocated into two groups, each of which had 20 persons allocated randomly. Hyperbaric levobupivacaine and hyperbaric bupivacaine at 3 ml of 0.5% were given into the intrathecal space for groups HL and HD. Perioperative and postoperative blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, and sensorial and motoric block levels of groups were measured. Visual analog scale (VAS) values, side effects and complications were recorded. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups for age, body weight, body mass index, ASA distributions, and operation period. Peripheral oxygen saturation values during intraoperative 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min, and postoperative 30 min, 1, 1.5 and 3 hours were significantly decreased in group HB compared to group HL. The starting of sense block and full motor block time in group HB was found to be significantly short compared to group HB. One patient had hypotension in group HB, and one had intraoperative nausea in group HL. Postoperative urinary retention occurred in two patients in group HB and in one patient in group HL. Conclusions: Hyperbaric levobupivacaine was found to have similar effects to hyperbaric bupivakain for anesthetic effects, hemodynamic parameters, postoperative analgesic necessity time, and the first 24-hour side effects and complications. Levobupivacaine, having a lesser cardiovascular and central nervous system, was suggested as an alternative to bupivacaine. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(1.000): 1-9