Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: comparison of 5.0% lignocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine

Objective of the study was to compare the effect of the drugs, intraoperative hemodynamic variables (heart rate, blood pressure) and associated complications (hypotension, nausea, shivering etc) between the bupivacaine and lignocaine group, when administered intrathecally in patients undergoing caesarean section. This is a randomized prospective study where the haemodynamic changes and the complications following sub arachnoid block either with 5.0% lignocaine or with 0.5% bupivacaine in 52 patients undergoing caeserian section were compared. The patients were randomly divided in two groups, group X (lignocaine group, n=26) or group B (bupivacaine group, n=26), either to receive 5.0% lignocaine 75 mg or 0.5% bupivacaine 12.5 mg. Intraoperatively heart rate, blood pressure (systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MAP)), oxygen saturation were monitored. Any rescue drugs e.g. mephentermine, crystalloid 200 ml bolus, pethidine, diazepam etc given were noted with the dose and time. Urine output and total amount of fluid given was noted at the end of the surgery. Oxytocin 10 U in infusion was given after the baby was delivered in all the cases. Intraoperative blood pressures, total amount of fluid given, rescue vasopressor (mephentermine) given were compared in both the groups. Groups were also compared with respect to the patients' age, height of sensory block, motor block, duration of surgery, Apgar score and weight of the baby and duration of postoperative analgesia. It was concluded that the drugs were similar with respect to their sensory and motor effects, intraoperative hemodynamic changes like hypotension and bradycardia, and other complications like shivering and can be used interchangeably as spinal anesthetic agent for caesarean section deliveries.