A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTRATHECAL BUPIVACAINEHEAVY (0.5%) WITH BUPIVACAINE HEAVY (0.5%) PLUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE FOR LOWER ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

Several adjuncts like adrenaline, opioids and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists are being used with local anaesthetics intrathecally for prolongation of intra-operative and post-operative analgesia and to reduce the side-effects of high doses of local anaesthetics. Aim: The present study was done to evaluate the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic effects, post-operative analgesia and adverse effects of Dexmedetomidine given intrathecally with hyperbaric 0.5% Bupivacaine. Materials and methods: Sixty inpatients of ASA class I and II scheduled for various lower abdominal surgeries under Sub-Arachnoid Block were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each namely C (Control), D(Dexmedetomidine) . All received 12.5mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 0.5 ml Normal Saline in Group C (Control),10µg Dexmedetomidine (diluted in preservative free Normal saline of 0.5ml) in Group D(Dexmedetomidine) . The onset time to reach peak sensory and motor level, the regression time for sensory and motor block, hemodynamic changes and side-effects were noted. Results: The duration of sensory and motor block, rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Dexmedetomidine group when compared to that of Control group. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine 10 µg seems to be a better neuraxial adjuvant to hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Keywords: Bupivacaine; Dexmedetomidine; intrathecal.