The efficacy of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine for combined psoas compartment - sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Aim of our study is to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, and the extent of sensory and motor blockade of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine administered in a combined psoas compartment – sciatic nerve block (PCSNB) for total hip replacement.
45 patients undergoing total hip replacement under general anesthesia combined with PCSNB, were randomly assigned to receive either 50 cc levobupivacaine 3 mg/ml, 50 cc ropivacaine 4.5 mg/ml or 50 cc bupivacaine 3 mg/ml with epinephrine. Postoperative, the pain intensity at rest (VAS), the degree of motor block (modified Bromage Scale) and the extent of sensory block (pin prick test) will be recorded at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours following initial injection in a double blind fashion.

Psoas Compartment - Sciatic Nerve Block, as an adjuvant locoregional anesthetic technique, gives sufficient post operative pain reduction after total hip replacement, regardless which long acting local anesthetic ((levo)bupivacaine or ropivacaine in equipotent dosages) is used.

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Psoas Compartment - Sciatic Nerve Block given with Bupivacaine, Levobupivacaine or Ropivacaine. Duration of the intervention: 10 min.