COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ADDITION OF CLONIDINE VS NORMAL SALINE TO THE PHARMACODYNAMICS AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF INTRATHECALLY ADMINISTERED HYPERBARIC BUPIVACAINE FOR SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN LOWER LIMB ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERIES

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

Dr. Anuradha Swaminathan

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to assess the behaviour of intrathecal clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in

augmenting sensory block in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Group N: 16.25 mg of 0.5%

hyperbaric bupivacaine + 0.25 ml of normal saline, Group C: 16.25 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 0.25 ml(37.5mcg) of

clonidine. Onset and duration of sensory block and motor block, the highest level of sensory blockade, duration of analgesia and

side effects were assessed.

RESULTS: The onset of motor block was faster in group C when compared to group N. The time to reach Bromage scale 3 was

fastest in group C. The duration of sensory, motor blockade and duration of analgesia was longer in group C than group N. The

time to regression time to S1 was longer in group C. Duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in group C.

CONCLUSION: Supplementation of bupivacaine spinal block with low dose of intrathecal clonidine(37.5mcg) produces a

significantly shorter onset of motor and sensory block and a significantly longer sensory and motor block than bupivacaine with

normal saline