The intoxication by Bupivacaine is considered life threatening. Currently the most safety local anesthetic in substitution to bupivacaine is ropivacaine, however in Brasil there is a bupivacaine mixture of 75% levobupivacaine plus 25% racemic bupivacaine. The research design is:~Patients involved: 48; age: 18 to 40 years old; both sex; ASA I and II. Surgery: elective upper extremity orthopedic surgery. Anesthesia technique: brachial plexus block. Primary endpoint: cardiovascular safety; analysis by continuous Holter. Secondary endpoint: anesthetic and analgesic efficacy.
The purpose of this study is to determine if bupivacaine (75% levobupivacaine plus 25% racemic bupivacaine) with vasoconstrictor is effective and safety as ropivacaine in brachial plexus block for orthopedic surgery.