TO ASSESS THE ANALGESIC EFFICACY OF ORAL CLONIDINE VS INTRATHECAL CLONIDINE ADDED AS AN ADJUVANT TO 0.5% HYPERBARIC BUPIVACAINE IN CESAREAN SECTION-A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLINDED STUDY

Abstract

Aims: We aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of oral clonidine vs intrathecal clonidine
added as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia in cesarean section
Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized double blind controlled studyenrolled 50
patients for elective caesarean sections under spinal anesthesia and were allocated into 2 groups (25 each) after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group O received 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 2cc(10mg) plus 0.5 cc NS intrathecally and 200µg oral clonidine was given 90 mins before spinal anesthesia and group I received 0.5 % Hyperbaric bupivacaine 2cc(10mg) +45 µg (0.5cc) of clonidine intrathecally with oral vitamin c tablets 90 mins before spinal anesthesia.
Results: Both the groups had comparable demographics in age, height,weight, BMI. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of duration of analgesia between the two groups. Duration of analgesia was prolonged more in Group I than in Group O with a p value
0.0001.There was a statistically significant difference in terms of onset of sensory and motor
blockade which was faster in Group I than in Group O. (P=0.0001). There was a statistically
significant difference in terms of duration of sensory and motor blockade which was prolonged in Group I than in Group O. (P=0.0001). There was a significant reduction in pulse rate and hypotensive episodes encountered with Group O than Group I which was statistically significant. The sedation, fetal well being and adverse effects were all comparable between the two groups.
Conclusion: Intrathecal clonidine when added as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine prolongs the duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block than oral clonidine without
significant adverse effects.