Comparison of the maternal and neonatal effects of bupivacaine plus fentanyl and ropivacaine plus fentanyl during cesarean delivery.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to compare the anesthetic efficacy, and fetal and maternal effects of 7.5 mg (1 ml) intrathecal 0.75% hyperbaric ropivacaine + 25 μg (0.5 ml) fentanyl versus 5 mg (l ml) intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 25 μg (0.5 ml) fentanyl in elective cesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 40 ASA I-II cases scheduled for cesarean delivery that were randomized into two groups of 20 cases each. Cases in the RF group were administered 0.75% hyperbaric ropivacaine + 25 μg (0.5 ml) fentanyl and those in the BF group were administered 5 mg (l ml) hyperbaric bupivacaine + 25 μg (0.5 ml) fentanyl into the spinal space. The time until spinal anesthesia in the T4 dermatome, overall duration of analgesia, hemodynamic parameters, Apgar score of newborns at 1-5 min, fetal blood gas values (pH, PO2, PCO2, HCO3-, and BE), maternal side effects, the degree of motor block, maternal need for ephedrine, objective pain scale score, and patient satisfaction were recorded in each group. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the parameters evaluated (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION In elective cesarean delivery, the combinations of bupivacaine + fentanyl or ropivacaine + fentanyl exhibited similar anesthetic efficacy, and fetal and maternal effects.