A Comparative Study of the Effects of Intrathecal Tramadol and Intrathecal Fentanyl as Adjuvants with 0.5% Bupivacaine Heavy in Lower Limb Surgery.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of tramadol and Fentanyl as intrathecal adjuvant to hyperbaric Bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: 100 patients of ASA status I and II posted for lower limb surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Group T was administered Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 15 mg + tramadol 25 mg, group F was administered Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 15 mg + Fentanyl 25 μg. Hemodynamic parameters, duration and quality of sensory and motor block and any side effects were assessed. Results: Intrathecal tramadol and intrathecal fentanyl acted synergistically to potentiate bupivacaine induced sensory spinal block. Excellent surgical anaesthesia and an extended analgesia were observed in the post-operative period with minimum side effects in both groups. Conclusion: Addition of either intrathecal tramadol or fentanyl to bupivacaine produced comparable hemodynamic changes, post-operative analgesia and sensory blockade.