A Comparative Study of 0.5% Bupivacaine and 1% 2-Chloroprocaine for Spinal Anaesthesia in Minor Elective General Surgery

Introduction: Various studies have been conducted to find a safe drug having early onset of action with short duration motor block for day care surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Aims and Objective: To compare the efficacy of intrathecal 1% 2-Chloroprocaine with 0.5% Bupivacaine for minor elective general surgeries. Method: A prospective, randomized, double blind comparative study was conducted on 80 ASA grade I/II patients of either sex or age group 18-55 years, undergoing minor surgery under spinal anaesthesia. The study population was divided into two groups of 40 patients each and were administered intrathecal block with either 1% 2-Chloroprocaine (2 ml) or 0.5% Bupivacaine (2 ml). The sensory block was assessed from caudal to cephalad direction with pin-prick test on each side, every minute until maximal spread of sensory blockade and then every 15 minutes during the surgery. Onset, total duration and mean time to achieve maximum sensory block were recorded. The degree of motor block was assessed using ‘Modified Bromage Scale’. The onset and duration of the motor block were recorded. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded. Postoperative analgesia, duration of PACU stay and time of micturition were compared. Results: The mean onset, duration, time to achieve maximum level of sensory block as well as motor block was significantly lower in the Chloroprocaine group over Bupivacaine group (p<0.05), without any side effects. Conclusion: 1% 2-Chloroprocaine is the drug of choice for minor surgery under spinal anaesthesia due to rapid onset and early recovery of block.