The efficacy of intrathecal chloroprocaine and ropivacaine in perineal surgeries

Purpose: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal chloroprocaine and ropivacaine in perineal surgeries.
Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was conducted with 60 patients belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II grades, ages 18-60 years of either gender, posted for elective perineal surgeries under spinal anesthesia. The drugs used were 4ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine or 4ml of 1% Chloroprocaine. The primary objectives noted down were VAS scores, duration of analgesia, and post-operative analgesic requirements.
Results: The VAS scores in the postoperative period were considerably lower in the Ropivacaine group. Patients who received Ropivacaine had a substantially longer duration of analgesia (234.37 ± 12.91 minutes). The Ropivacaine group received fewer rescue analgesias postoperatively, resulting in better postoperative analgesia.
Conclusion: Ropivacaine was found to have a prolonged analgesia duration with lower VAS scores and fewer postoperative analgesic conditions. Hence, it is more effective and superior to chloroprocaine.