Caudal anesthesia for minor pediatric surgery: a prospective randomized comparison of ropivacaine 0.2% vs levobupivacaine 0.2%.

BACKGROUND: Previous published data comparing ropivacaine 0.2% with levobupivacaine 0.25% have suggested that ropivacaine might be associated with less early postoperative motor blockade compared with levobupivacaine. The aim of the present study was to further investigate this issue comparing equal concentrations (0.2%) of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in children undergoing minor subumbilical surgery. METHODS: Following induction of a standardized anesthetic, patients (1-7 years) were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive a caudal block with either ropivacaine 0.2% (group R, n=30) or levobupivacaine 0.2% (group L, n=30), total volume 1 ml.kg-1. Motor blockade (modified Bromage scale; primary end-point) and analgesia [Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS) score] were assessed at predetermined time points during the first 24-postoperative hours. RESULTS: Motor blockade was only registered during the first postoperative hour with no significant differences between the groups (group R n=5, group L n=8). Postoperative CHIPPS scores were almost identical in both groups with only seven and six patients requiring supplemental analgesia (CHIPPS score>or=4) in the R and L groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 0.2% concentrations of ropivacaine or levobupivacaine are clinically very similar with regard to postoperative analgesia and unwanted postoperative motor blockade in children undergoing minor subumbilical surgery.