[Comparison between continuous epidural instillation of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in patients with lung cancer].

We compared the efficiency of continuous epidural analgesia with ropivacaine and bupivacaine in patients with lung carcinoma stages IIIB and IV. We studied 25 patients aged 48-70 years, divided in two groups A (13 patients) and B (12 patients). Group A received continuous epidural infusion with ropivacaine 0.2%, 6 ml/h and group B received continuous epidural infusion with bupivacaine 0.2%, 6 ml/h. Pain level, neuromuscular block intensity and PONV incidence were similar in both groups during the first 72 hours. The ropivacaine group needed more nonopioid analgesic (Dinastat).