Is the addition of intrathecal fentanyl to hyperbaric bupivacaine affecting maternal spirometric function during ceasarean section?

ABSTRACT

Subarachnoid blockade with local anesthetics induces may respiratory depression. Although the addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine has become popular in subarachnoid blockade for Cesarean section, there is no information on the effect of intrathecal fentanyl on maternal spirometic respiratory function in parturients undergoing elective cesarean section. We studied the effects of the addition of intrathecal fentanyl to hyperbaric bupivacaine on maternal spirometic respiratory function in 60 partuirents undergoing elective cesarean section. The parturients were randomized into two groups those receiving 2.0 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and 0.4ml of saline intrathecally [control group] and those receiving 2.0 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.4ml of fentanyl [25microg] intrathecally [patients group]. We performed spirometry on arriving at the operation room and 15 min after subarachnoid blockade. Subarachnoid blockade with bupivacaine significantly decreased the peak expiratory flow rate, but did not induce significant changes in vital capacity and forced vital capacity. The addition of intra-thecal fentanyl to bupivacaine improved the quality of subarachnoid blockade, but did not lead to deterioration in respiratory function compared with intrathecal bupivacaine alone. The addition of intrathecal fentanyl to hyperbaric bupivacine did not lead to deterioration in maternal spiromatric respiratory function in parturients undergoing Caesarean section