• C Piangatelli, C De Angelis, L Pecora, F Recanatini, P Cerchiara, and D Testasecca.
• Division of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy. c_piangatelli@virgilio.it
• Minerva Anestesiol. 2006 Apr 1;72(4):217-21.

AimInfraclavicular brachial plexus block were first described by Raj, yet this block remained underutilized despite theoretical advantages. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare equipotent doses of levobupivacaine and ropivacaine.MethodsFor this prospective, randomized study we have enrolled, after informed consent, 30 patients of both sexes, ASA status I-II, who were going to receive surgery to the forearm or hand with tourniquet position on the arm. The infraclavicular plexus block was performed by using vertical technique. The block was performed with 30 mL of levobupivacaine 0.5% or ropivacaine 0.75%.ResultsNo differences were reported between 2 groups in terms of demographic data. The onset-time for motor block was greater for ropivacaine group (p<0.05); the sensitive block was longer in levobupivacaine group (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe long duration of sensory block associated with the with good analgesia, less toxicity and the pharmacodynamic properties of levobupivacaine include this new local anaesthetic as a valid choice respect other local anaesthetic for infraclavicular plexus block.

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