Context: Various adjuvants are being used with local anesthetics for prolongation of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. The α2-adrenergic agonist clonidine has the ability to potentiate the effects of local anesthetics.
Aims: The purpose of this prospective, double blind study study was to compare onset, duration of sensory and motor block, effect on hemodynamics, level of sedation, duration of post operative analgesia and any adverse effects of clonidine Settings and Design 50 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class I and II patients undergoing lower limb surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups.
Methods and Material: Control Group received Inj. Bupivacaine 0.5% (heavy) 2.5ml + saline 0.5ml & Study Group received Inj. Bupivacaine 0.5% (heavy) 2.5ml + preservative free Inj. Clonidine 50µg intrathecally.. Statistical analysis used: Unpaired students t-test and Z-test was used for comparing data.
Results: We found statistically highly significant differences in mean time of sensory regression to L – 1, mean time to attain the Bromage Score of 1 & mean time of first rescue analgesic request.The patients did not suffer any serious side effects, apart from nausea & vomiting & dryness of mouth.
Conclusion: Administration of clonidine intrathecally does potentiate the duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block.
