A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% with Fentanyl versus Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% with Buprenorphine In Lower Limb and Lower Abdominal Surgeries.

Abstract

Spinal anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for lower abdominal surgeries as it is very economical and easy to administer 1. The advantages of subarachnoid block are limited by its short duration of action and lack of postoperative analgesia. In recent years, the supplementation of local anaesthetics with adjuvants is widely in practice, to reduce the dose of local anaesthetic, minimize side effects and prolong the duration of anaesthesia 1,2 . Opioid added to local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia was first introduced into clinical practice in 1979 with intrathecal morphine as a forerunner. Neuraxial administration of opioids along with local anaesthetics improves the quality of intraoperative analgesia and also provide postoperative pain relief for longer duration3,4. Intrathecal morphine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia but is associated with increased risk of nausea, vomiting, itching and respiratory depression5. Fentanyl,