Abstract

Lower abdominal surgeries are usually performed under subarachnoid block, also called spinal anesthesia. The drug which is routinely used for spinal anesthesia is 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Addition of adjuvants to the hyperbaric Bupivacaine helps in prolonging the duration of anesthesia and provides better and prolonged post-operative analgesia.
Materials and Methods: This study was done on 100 ASA 1 & 2 patients between 18 and 70 years who underwent various lower abdominal surgeries at our hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, Group I were given 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine and Group II were given 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine along with 60 mcg Buprenorphine in the intrathecal space.
Results: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly earlier in patients in group I, while the duration of analgesia was significantly longer in group II, 426 ± 41.17 minutes as compared to 203.49 ± 41.35 minutes in group I. More than 80% patients in group II had mild post-operative pain only after 8 hours, whereas patients in group I started having moderate to severe pain after 4 hours. About 15% patients in group II experienced nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
Conclusion: Buprenorphine is an effective adjuvant to provide prolonged post-operative analgesia with minimal hemodynamic changes and minor side effects