Ropivacaine compared to lidocaine for tonsillectomy under local anaesthesia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ropivacaine compared to lidocaine for tonsillectomy under local anaesthesia. During the last 2 years, 77 patients undergoing tonsillectomy under local anaesthesia in the seated position were randomised to receive ropivacaine or lidocaine. The following parameters were recorded: time to surgical anaesthesia, the duration of the procedure, postoperative pain, the need for analgesics during the first 10 h after surgery, cardiac arrhythmias, the occurrence of allergic reaction and larynx spasm. It took significantly longer to reach surgical anaesthesia in the ropivacaine patients (8.3+/-1.3 min versus 2.7+/-0.8 min.), but the pain immediately following the procedure was significantly lower (1.0+/-0.4 versus 2.6+/-1.0). Adjuvant analgetics were administered later and in significantly lower doses in the ropivacaine patients. There were no adverse reactions. In conclusion, ropivacaine in local tonsillectomy is safe, has a longer onset-time, but is more efficient concerning postoperative pain than lidocaine.