A study of intrathecal fentanyl and butorphanol as an adjuvant to 0.5% bupivacaine [heavy] for lower limb surgeries: Randomized control study

The most commonly used technique for lower limb surgeries is Spinal anesthesia, as it is economical, easy, effective and has less complications. Adjuvants are added with local anaesthetics intrathecally. Opioids as adjuvants to local anaesthetics improves the quality of intraoperative analgesia and prolongs postoperative analgesia. To observe and compare the effect of intrathecal bupivacaine with fentanyl and bupivacaine with butorphanol on onset and duration of sensory and motor block, haemodynamics, duration of post-operative analgesia, requirement of rescue analgesia and side effects/complications. In this study 72 patients were selected with 36 patients[ group BF & BB] in each group. Patients aged 18-70 years, ASA Grade I and II of either gender, undergoing elective lower limb surgeries were included in our study. All patients were monitored for onset and duration of sensory block and motor block, haemodynamics and duration of analgesia, time to rescue analgesia and complications. Mean onset of sensory & motor block was significantly faster in BF group than BB group[p<0.05]. Mean duration of analgesia and rescue analgesia in BB was significantly longer than BF [p<0.05]. Haemodynamic parameters were comparable in both groups.