Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block Using 0.2% Ropivacaine

Cho, Young Woo; Song, Sun Ok; Jang, Ju Hyen

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ropivacaine is a new amide local anesthetics, having therapeutic properties similar to those of bupivacaine but less cardiovascular toxicity and motor blockade. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ropivacaine used in stellate ganglion block (SGB) compared with those of lidocaine or bupivacaine.
METHODS
This prospective and crossover study performed in twenty patients with sudden sensory neural hearing loss. All patients received three times SGB, in the paratracheal approach using 8 ml of 1% lidocaine, 0.2% bupivacaine, and 0.2% ropivacaine respectively without any orders. Onset time and action duration of Horner's syndrome were observed after each SGB.
RESULTS
Onset time of ropivacaine was the middle of the three agents; earlier lidocaine and slower bupivacaine. Lidocaine (3.0-1.9 min), bupivacaine (4.1-2.9 min) and ropivacaine (3.3-1.3 min). But there were no significant differences; Action duration of Horner's syndrome of ropivacaine (223.6-105.2 min) was longer than lidocaine (134.6-77.3 min) and shorter than bupivacaine (241.2-115.8 min). There were significant differences in the action duration of each local anesthetics (P<0.05). There was no critical side effects and temporary foreign body sensation was the most common side effect.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that ropivacaine is a good alternative in SGB instead of lidocaine or bupivacaine. Ropivacaine is a long acting local anesthetic similar to those of bupivacaine with wide margin of safety. However, optimal concentration and volume of ropivacaine in SGB should be studied.