Effect of clonidine addition to hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in lower limb surgery [a comparative study].

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of subarachnoid block has become an established and reliable method of providing anaesthesia for lower abdominal and lower limb surgery. Regional anaesthesia is generally well tolerated by all patients, producing less postoperative confusion and delirium than general anesthesia. It is also associated with lesser incidence of post-operative thromboembolism. However subarachnoid block has got its own inherent complications, especially related to cardiovascular stability.Aim: to compare the haemodynamic ,sensory and motor effects of a low dose bupivacaine – clonidine spinal anesthesia versus conventional dose of bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower limb surgery.Method: Prospective, randomized double blind study was undertaken in 60 selected patients posted for lower limb surgeries. Data were collected for duration and onset of motor and sensory effects, haemodynamic changes and side effects of study drugs and they were statistically analyzed.Results: We found in our study that time of onset of adequate level of sensory block (T10) was significantly longer for group B which contains 30μ gm of clonidine (126±14) than group A (95±10). The total duration of sensory block for Group A was 227.6±9.8 mins while Group B had 351.9± 17.5 mins and motor block for group A was 162.5±7.51 mins while in group B had 274.8±14.4 mins. Conclusion: Clonidine when combined with low dose bupivacaine has prolonged the duration of motor and sensory blockage and incidence of intra operative pain with maintaining haemodynamic stability.