Levobupivacaine versus ropivacaine for brachial plexus block: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Brachial plexus block (BPB) is advantageous for elective orthopaedic or reconstructive upper limb surgery. However, the optimal local anaesthetic in BPB remains debatable. Therefore, we aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of levobupivacaine versus ropivacaine in BPB for upper limb surgery.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesising randomised controlled trials (RCTs), retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, EMBASE, WOS, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and CENTRAL since inception till June 2024. Continuous and dichotomous outcome variables were pooled using mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR), with a 95% confidence interval (CI), using Stata v. 17. We assessed heterogeneity using the Chi-square test and I² statistic.

SUBMITTER: Alharran AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11949393 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature