Ropivacaine is a long acting amino-amide local anesthetic, it is less cardiotoxic and less likely to cause motor blockade than bupivacaine. In our study we compared the effectiveness, degree of motor block produced by either ropivacaine or bupivacaine as well as the onset and duration of both drugs. Fourty children ASA I scheduled for elective minor lower abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to receive a single caudal extradural injection of 1ml/ kg of either ropivacaine 0.375% r group (n=20) or bupivacaine 0.375 % b group (n=20) after induction of general anesthesia. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured every 5 minutes from the beginning of G. A. until the child is transferred to the ward. The extent of motor block in the recovery room was scored according to modified Bromage scale , time to first analgesic requirement were recorded. Both groups were similar in age, weight, and there were no difference in heart rate or arterial blood pressure. Yet the degree of motor block was significantly different between the two groups. Ropivacaine group showed a shorter duration of motor block than bupivacaine group, postoperative analgesia was required at almost equal time in both groups. These findings suggest that there is no great difference between ropivacaine compared with bupivacaine as regard the hemodynamics or sensory block, yet ropivacaine is superior for it s safety and less motor block.