Comparison of 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine with Midazolam Versus 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Alone Intrathecally: Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Context: Neuraxial anesthesia is the preferred choice for infraumbilical surgeries due to its advantages. The incorporation of midazolam alongside local anesthetic drugs in spinal anesthesia has demonstrated positive outcomes. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of midazolam in terms of analgesic and anesthetic efficacy, as well as potential adverse effects, in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. Aims: To compare the analgesic and anaesthetic effect of mixture of midazolam - bupivacaine as compared to bupivacaine alone in patients undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Settings and Design: The present study is a prospective, observational study. Methods and Material: Fifty patients posted for elective infra-umbilical surgery were randomly divided into two groups of 25 each for intrathecal drug administration. (n=25). After administration of block, patients were assessed for analgesic and anesthetic effect of the drug. Statistical Analysis used: The study analyzed through the statistical programming software SPSS-22 and it involved the application of the student’s t-test, with a significance threshold set at a P value of <0.05. Results: Analgesic duration of patients in Midazolam Group was signiÞcantly longer compared to Bupivacaine Group for sensory block. More patients in the midazolam group were sedated and easily arousable. Conclusions: This study concludes that the addition of intrathecal preservative-free midazolam to hyperbaric bupivacaine improved intra - operative anaesthesia and prolonged duration of analgesia. Also, it was observed that there was a significant reduction in the consumption of analgesics during the postoperative period in patients undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries without causing any significant haemodynamic changes.