Comparison of intrathecal ropivacaine and in combination with fentanyl, clonidine or midazolam for minor surgery

ABSTRACT

Sixty adult ASA I and II patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to receive intrathecal 15 mg ropivacaine GII [n=15] or ropivacaine plus 25 micro g fentanyl GI [n=15] or ropivacaine plus 75 micro g c/onidine GIII [n=15] or ropivacaine plus Img midazolam GIV [n=15].The addition of fentanyl to ropivacaine in GII did not significantly affect pulse rate, while the addition of clondine and midazolam in GIII and in GIV significantly decreased PR. The MABP decreased significantly intra-operatively in the four studied groups. The addition of clonidine decreased MABP significantly in GIII compared to GI The addition of fentamyl clonidine or midazolam to ropivacaine did not influence the onset of sensory block, but they increased sensory level significantly. The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in GII and in GIII Midazolam in GIV did not significantly prolong the duration of analgesia in our study. The onset of motor block was delayed significantly and the duration of the block was significantly shorter in GII compared to GI. Clonidine and midazolam in GIII and GIV increased the degree of motor block without increasing the duration. The analgesic consumption was significantly less in GII and in GIII while there was no significant change in GIV compared to GI. The incidence of complications was nil in GII and in GIII. In GI one case complained of shivering, however, one case had a post-operative headache in GIV