A comparative study of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as an adjuvant to epidural bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries

Background: Epidural anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for inducing surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries. Fentanyl as an adjuvant to epidural local anesthetic has been used for a long time. Dexmedetomidine is a potent and highly selective α-2-adrenoceptor agonist with analgesic potency. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as an adjuvant to epidural bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Grade I or II who were undergoing lower limb surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Group BD: received epidural study solution of 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride + 1 ml of 100 μg dexmedetomidine + 1 ml of normal saline. Group BF: received epidural study solution of 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride + 2 ml of 100 μg fentanyl. Onset and maximum level of sensory blockade, time to attain maximum sensory level, time to complete motor blockade, time for two-segment regression, duration of analgesia and motor block, heart rate, and blood pressure were observed. Pain and sedation were assessed by numerical rating scale and Ramsay Sedation Scale, respectively. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: The onset of sensory blockade and time to attain maximum sensory level in Group BD were earlier than that of Group BF (P < 0.001). Duration of analgesia and motor blockade in Group BD were significantly more than that of Group BF (P < 0.001). Postoperative visual analog scale was reduced statistically significantly in Group BD (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to epidural bupivacaine is a better alternative to fentanyl with higher analgesic property