Comparison of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine for treatment of post-thoracotomy pain through thoracic paravertebral block

Authors : Sener Kaya, Elif Basagan Mogol, Fatma Nur Kaya, Ahmet Sami Bayram, Gurkan Turker, Canan Yilmaz, Derya Karasu

Pages : 188-194

Doi:10.18621/eurj.2016.5000188659

View : 25 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2016-11-04

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Objectives. The aim of this study was t o compare postoperative pain and respiratory functions of lobectomy patients who were given bupivacaine or levobupivacaine with fentanyl through a paravertebral catheter. Methods. ASA I-II patients (n=40, 18-65 years old) randomized into two groups. While Group B was administered 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl, Group L was administered 0.25% levobupivacaine with fentanyl at a rate of 0.1 ml/kg/hr through paravertebral catheter for patient controlled analgesia. Visual analog scale (VAS), arterial blood gases and respiratory function tests were assessed. Results. There were no significant differences in terms of demographic characteristics and surgery durations between the groups ( p >0.05). VAS scores recorded at the 1 st postoperative hour were higher in both groups compared to the following hours ( p <0.001), but there was no difference between the groups. FEV 1 and FVC measured in the postoperative period were significantly lower than preoperative values in both groups ( p <0.001); however, there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding side effects, mean values of PaO 2 , PaCO 2 and SpO 2 ( p >0.05). Conclusion. Bupivacaine and levobupivacaine had equivalent efficiency and could be safely used in treatment of post-thoracotomy pain through thoracic paravertebral block.
Keywords : Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine hydrochloride, post-thoracotomy pain, thoracic paravertebral block