European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Multimodal analgesia through different techniques is associated with superior pain relief. Opioids as epidural adjunct to local anesthetics have been in use for long and α2 agonists are being increasingly used for same. The present study aims at comparing the hemodynamic, sedative and analgesic effects of epidurally administered fentanyl and dexmedetomidine when combined with bupivacaine.
Methods: A comparative randomized double‑blind study consisting 60 patients with ASA physical status I and II of either sex between 20 and 50 years scheduled for lower limb orthopedic surgeries under epidural block were randomly divided into two Groups (n = 30) D and F. After epidural block with 15 ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine, Group D received 1 µg/kg of Dexmedetomidine and Group F received 1 µg/kg of Fentanyl. Time to request for the first postoperative analgesia were recorded.
Results: Mean duration of analgesia was 340.8 minutes with SD of 13.098 in dexmedetomidine group and 263.97 minutes with SD of 10.778 in fentanyl group Duration of sensory and motor blockade were prolonged in group D compared to group F.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine seems to be a better alternative to fentanyl as an epidural adjuvant due to prolonged postoperative analgesia and lower consumption of rescue analgesia.