الفهرس 
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Abstract
Regional anesthesia is an act based on a science. This sctence
involves knowledge of the anatomy of the nervous system and
pharmacology of local anesthetics.
The patient under regional anesthesia has a major advantage
over general anesthesia; he can protect himself against aspiration of
gastric contents, a dreadful complication that may happen under general
anesthesia; also there is postoperative analgesia and fewer chest
complications. Epidural block avoids dural puncture with slower onset of
hypotension. Also, the catheter technique allows flexibility in extent
and duration of the block.
Epidural block carries the potential hazards of cardiovascular
and nervous system toxicity due to large doses of local anesthetic drugs.
Ropivacaine is a new long-acting local anesthetic drug which
has been developed as an alternative to bupivacaine (Morrison, 1994)
Ropivacaine is less likely than bupivacaine to produce nervous system
toxicity (Scott, 1996), cardiovascular toxicity (Stinkamp, 1989), and its
clearance is more rapid than bupivacaine (Jeffery, 1990). The duration of sensory blockade with ropivacaine is simtlar to
or greater than that of bupivacaine whtle the intensity of motor
blockade of ropivacaine is similar to that ofbupivacaine (Feldman,
/986).