Saddle Block for Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Comparison of the Analgesic Efficacy of 0.25% Bupivacaine and 0.375% Ropivacaine

Background: Prostate biopsy is a painful procedure, and the degree of pain is related to the number of core biopsies taken. Objective: To compare the analgesic properties of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.25% with 0.375% ropivacaine for saddle block in transrectal prostate biopsy. Methods: This was a randomised double-blinded study. Eighty patients with indications for prostate biopsy presenting at the Day-Case Theatre in a Nigerian tertiary facility were randomised into two equal groups: B (Bupivacaine) and R (Ropivacaine). Group B received 1ml of 0.25% bupivacaine, while Group R received 1ml of 0.375% ropivacaine for saddle block, respectively. Pain assessment, home readiness, patients' satisfaction, and time to first analgesic request were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results: The Bupivacaine group had an earlier onset of sensory block (11.90±4.10 minutes vs 23.70±8.65 minutes, p = 0.000), slower sensory block regression (48.73±9.32 minutes vs 24.88±4.21 minutes, p = 0.000), but delayed home readiness (47.23±15.93 minutes vs 29.88±8.58 minutes, p = 0.000), than patients in the Ropivacaine group. The pain scores during, immediately after and 30 minutes post-biopsy were lower in the Bupivacaine group: p = 0.010, p = 0.028 and p = 0.023 respectively. The time to first analgesic request was also longer in the Bupivacaine group (48.73±9.33 minutes) than for those in the Ropivacaine group (24.88±4.21 minutes) with statistical significance (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Intraoperative analgesic properties were better in the Bupivacaine group than in the Ropivacaine group. However, home readiness was earlier in the Ropivacaine group.