Dhanya R
BACKGROUND
Various adjuvants have been used along with local anaesthetics to prolong analgesia and to avoid intraoperative pain. Dexmedetomidine, a new highly selective α-2 agonist drug is now being used as a neuraxial adjuvant. The aim of the study was to compare the duration of analgesia and haemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl given intrathecally with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
60 patients classified in ASA class I and II scheduled for gynaecological procedures was studied and they were given 15 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine (3 cc, 0.5%) plus 5 ?g dexmedetomidine (in 0.5 mL sterile water Group A) or 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine (3 cc, 0.5%) plus 25 ?g fentanyl (0.5 mL sterile water) Group B intrathecally.
RESULTS
The result of our study showed that patients in group A had significantly longer duration of analgesia compared to fentanyl group B. The mean duration of analgesia were 375.5 ± 9.19 min. and 256.87 ± 9.72 mins. (P<0.001). The haemodynamic profile was significantly better in fentanyl group B than in dexmedetomidine group A in the first 20-30 mins. after giving the block.
CONCLUSION
Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine has a longer duration of analgesia when compared to intrathecal Fentanyl. But the hemodynamic profile is better for Fentanyl in the initial period of block when compared to Dexmedetomidine.
