Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic effect, postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl given intrathecally with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine in lower abdominal surgeries. Materials and Methods: Sixty ASA grade I & II patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries were randomly allocated to receive either 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 5 μg dexmedetomidine (group D, n = 30) or 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 25 μg fentanyl (group F, n = 30) intrathecal. The sensory-motor block characteristics, effects on hemodynamic parameters & analgesia were studied. Results: Patients in group F had faster onset of motor and sensory block than group D (P = 0.000). Patients in group D had significantly longer duration of motor and sensory blockade as compared to those in group F (P = 0.000). Postoperative analgesia was significantly longer in group D than group F (P =0.000). Incidence of side effects among the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Fentanyl has faster onset compared with Dexmedetomidine but prolonged duration of sensory and motor blockade with postoperative analgesia was seen with Dexmedetomidine without significant side effects.

Description

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