ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate and compare three groups, that is, (1) normal saline 0.5 mL with 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine normal (BN), (2) intrathecal fentanyl 25 µg (0.5 mL) as an adjuvant to 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine fentanyl (BF), and (3), 150 µg buprenorphine with 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine buprenorphine (BB) with respect to the onset and duration of sensory and motor spinal block, level of anesthesia, effects on hemodynamic parameters, requirement of postoperative analgesia, and side effects in patients aged 16-60 years undergoing surgical and orthopedic procedures requiring spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed at a single center with 90 consecutive patients enrolled as per the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into three groups of 30 each based on drugs administered, BN, BF, and BB groups, and outcome measures were recorded. The three groups were compared with the analysis of variance test for the continuous variables, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The groups were similarly matched with respect to age. The earliest onset of sensory block was in the BF group (2.87 min), P < 0.05. Similarly, the mean time to achieve the highest sensory level was least in the BF group (9.63 min), P < 0.05. The onset of motor blockade was earliest in the BB group (7.65 min), P < 0.05. The mean time for two segment regression was maximum in the BB group (126.03 min), P < 0.05. The mean time for regression to L1 was the longest in the BB group (200.83 min), P < 0.05. Maximum duration of analgesia after spinal drug administration was the highest in the BB group (412.17 min), P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The addition of both buprenorphine 150 µg and fentanyl 25 µg to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 15 mg enhances the quality and duration of sensory block for spinal anesthesia providing better postoperative analgesia, while decreasing the incidence of complications associated with each drug alone.
ABSTRACT
Congenital kyphoscoliosis associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM 1) is a rare combination and carries challenges of surgical as well as anesthetic intervention. The presence of muscular dystrophy may accelerate progression of scoliosis thus requiring surgical treatment. The objective of this case report was to discuss the perioperative anesthetic and surgical management of such cases.
ABSTRACT
Background Dexmedetomidine is being used as an adjuvant analgesic, both as intravenous (IV) and intrathecal infusion. The role of perineural (P) dexmedetomidine has evoked attention recently. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of IV dexmedetomidine and P dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb orthopaedic surgery. Methods Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=20). Group I (IV dexmedetomidine) received dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg IV as loading dose over 10 minutes, followed by continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.4 mcg/kg/hr IV. Group P (P dexmedetomidine) received dexmedetomidine at 1 mcg/kg perineurally. After adequate motor response with the aid of peripheral nerve stimulator a supraclavicular block with 40 ml solution containing 5 mg/kg lignocaine (2%) with adrenaline (1:200,000) and 2 mg/kg of bupivacaine (0.5%) was injected to both the groups. Group P also received dexmedetomidine perineurally with block. Onset and duration of sensory and motor block, Ramsay sedation score, hemodynamic parameters, and postoperative analgesia requirement were assessed along with side effects. The data obtained were recorded as mean ± SD, ranges, numbers, and ratios. Results were analyzed using the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test for non-parametric data, and an unpaired 't'-test for parametric data. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS (version 10, 2002; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) for Windows statistical package. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Mean onset of sensory block was earlier in group I than in group P (p<0.05) although mean onset of motor block was not significantly different (p>0.05). Duration of sensory and motor blockade was longer in group I (p<0.05). Patients in group I demonstrated lower pulse rate and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures throughout the period with comparable SpO2 values. There was no difference in intraoperative Ramsay sedation scores in both groups, but postoperative Ramsay sedation scores at 9, 12, and 15 hours were better in group I (p<0.05). The average time to rescue analgesia (visual analogue scale >4) was higher in group I (p>0.05). Conclusion IV dexmedetomidine produced early onset of sensory block, longer duration of sensory and motor block, and longer duration of analgesia as compared with P dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to supraclavicular block with 5 mg/kg lignocaine (2%) and 2 mg/kg bupivacaine (0.5%) in upper limb orthopaedic surgeries.
ABSTRACT
Background This study was undertaken to compare and evaluate the efficacy of 3-ml 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine versus 3-ml 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine in patients undergoing elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Methods We allocated 60 patients into two groups (n=30 each) to receive either a spinal block of 3-ml 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine (group L) or 3-ml 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine (group R). Haemodynamic parameters were measured intraoperatively till the end of surgery and postoperatively for two hours. The onset and duration of sensory block and motor block were recorded. Adverse events were also recorded. The student's unpaired t-test was used for comparing the continuous variables. Results The mean age in group L was 37.83 ±16.51 years and the mean age in group R was 38.50 ±12.97 years. The mean onset of sensory block in group L (6.97 ±1.82 mins) was significantly faster than in group R (8.47 ±2.55 mins), p<0.05. Similarly, so was the mean onset of motor block in group L (10.27 ±1.92 mins) versus group R (12.93 ±2.55 mins), p<0.05. The mean duration of sensory block in group L (147.63 ±27.53 mins) was significantly longer than in group R (97.40 ±12.38 mins), p<0.05, as was the mean duration of motor block in group L (207.33 ±22.27 mins) versus group R (146.60 ±21.22 mins), p<0.05. In group L, 13.3% of patients had complications, with hypotension being the most common (6.7%); in group R, 40% had complications, of which bradycardia was the most common (13.3%). Conclusion There was an earlier onset of sensory and motor block and prolonged duration of sensory and motor block with intrathecal administration of 3-ml 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine as compared to 3-ml 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine. Haemodynamic parameters were more stable with levobupivacaine than ropivacaine. Adverse effects were more common with ropivacaine.
