Mepivacaine Versus Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Random Controlled Trials

Bupivacaine is a more widely used anesthetic than mepivacaine. However, the long-acting effects of bupivacaine often lead to slow and unpredictable return. As an intermediate-acting local anesthetic, mepivacaine can enable earlier ambulation and thus has other benefits. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the anesthetic effects of mepivacaine and bupivacaine.

On August 12, 2021, a search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Effect estimates with 95% CI were combined using a random effects model. We performed sensitivity analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity and stability of results.

Of the 406 papers screened, 14 population-based randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 1007 patients. Overall, compared to bupivacaine, mepivacaine was associated with higher numbers of motor block 3 (OR, 4.05; 95% CI 1.92-8.57), shorter length of stay (SMD, - 0.77; 95% CI - 1.52 to - 0.03), faster recovery from motor block (SMD, - 1.45; 95% CI - 2.39 to - 0.51), and shorter time to return to voiding (SMD, - 1.24; 95% CI - 1.83 to - 0.64). Mepivacaine was associated with a higher incidence of transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) and transient nerve root irritation (TRI) (OR, 9.18; 95% CI 2.42-34.88). There was no statistical difference between the two anesthetics in terms of pain index on the postoperative day (SMD, 0.20; 95% CI - 0.06 to 0.46) and incidence of urinary retention (OR, 0.98; 95% CI 0.47-2.03).

Mepivacaine may have advantages over bupivacaine in terms of achieving motor block 3, shorter length of stay, earlier recovery from motor block, and earlier time to return to voiding, but it may have a higher incidence of TNS or TRI than bupivacaine. Therefore, mepivacaine may be used before bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia.