ABSTRACT
Background: Epidural anesthesia is one of the most used anesthetic technique for a lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant with bupivacaine with plain bupivacaine in epidural anesthesia with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects and sedation. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients of either sex with age ranging from 18 to 65 years and belonging to ASA Grades I and II physical status, scheduled for surgery under epidural anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups with 30 patients each. Group 1 was given 20 ml 0.5% plain bupivacaine + 0.5 ml saline and Group 2 was given 20 ml 0.5% plain bupivacaine + 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. Results: The time of sensory onset up to T10 was shorter in Group 2 (7.10 ± 2.10 min) as compared to Group 1 (15.02 ± 2.6 min). The time of motor block onset to bromage 3 was shorter in Group 2 (14.50 ± 5.18 min) as compared to Group 1 (20.36 ± 3.4 min). The time of motor block regression to bromage 0 was longer in Group 2 (248.70 ± 28.40 min) as compared to Group 1 (152 ± 12.2 min). The time of sensory block regression and the duration of analgesia were also longer in Group 2. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine seems to be a good choice as an adjuvant with bupivacaine in epidural anesthesia.