An observational comparative study of dexamethasone and nalbuphine as adjuvant with levobupivacaine for prolongation of postoperative analgesia in popliteal nerve block for ankle and foot surgery

Dr. Jaideep Singh; Dr. Ajay Singh; Dr. Himanshu Bisht; Dr. Aditya Agarwal

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

An observational comparative study of dexamethasone and nalbuphine as adjuvant with levobupivacaine for prolongation of postoperative analgesia in popliteal nerve block for ankle and foot surgery

Dr. Jaideep Singh, Dr. Ajay Singh, Dr. Himanshu Bisht, Dr. Aditya Agarwal

Abstract :

Pain is a predictable part of the postoperative experience. Aim of this study is to compare postoperative analgesic effect and safety of dexamethasone or nalbuphine in addition to levobupivacaine in lower limb ankle and foot surgeries.Ninety patients were divided into Group D (n= 30, were given 24 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine hydrochloride + 1ml (4mg) of dexamethasone), Group N (n=30, were given 24ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine hydrochloride + 1 ml(10mg) of nalbuphine ) and Group C (n=30, were given 24ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine hydrochloride + 1ml of normal saline). Postoperative analgesia in terms of VAS score, time to first rescue analgesic (duration of analgesia) and side effect or complication were studied in each group.VAS score was 38.56�1.79 at 16 hours in Group N, whereas Group D had VAS score of 42.83�0.99 at 12 hours and Group C had 49.46�1.132 at 8 hours (p value < 0.001). At 24 hours VAS score of group N, D and C were 15.17�1.497, 15.67�1.309 and 15.67�1.714 respectively. So we conclude that Nalbuphine is a good alternative for post operative pain management along with Levobupivacaine hydrocholoride compared to dexamethasone with minimal postoperative complication.