Distal blocks

The results of this study indicate that analgesia after sciatic nerve block lasts longer with levobupivacaine than with ropivacaine. The literature comparing both for peripheral nerve block shows conflicting results with regard to sensory block duration. Two similar studies comparing these two drugs in sciatic nerve block found no differences in duration and time to the first request of analgesia [1,2]. By contrast, in a study comparing levobupivacaine 0.5%, levobupivacaine 0.75% and ropivacaine 0.75%, levobupivacaine provided longer-lasting sensory block [3]. It seems obvious that more data are needed to draw a final conclusion regarding the duration of action of levobupivacaine versus ropivacaine in peripheral nerve block.