Comparison of forced expiratory spirometric flow changes following intrathecal bupivacaine and bupivacaine with fentanyl

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Higher dermatomal block following spinal anaesthesia impairs inspiratory capacity and decreases forced expiratory flow rates. This decrease in forced expiratory flows can in turn decrease the effectiveness of cough. Intrathecal opioids are important adjuncts to intrathecal local anaesthetics. The objective of our study was to compare the decrease in forced expiratory flows from the baseline values after subarachnoid block with bupivacaine and bupivacaine with fentanyl.Methods: Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained. Forty ASA I and II adult males, scheduled for elective surgery were included in the study. Informed written consent was obtained from all patients who were randomly allocated into two groups. Group B received intrathecal anaesthesia 15 mgs of bupivacaine with 0.5 ml of normal saline and Group BF received 15 mgs of bupivacaine with 0.5 ml of fentanyl (25 μg) intrathecally. The patients were instructed about the performance of the spirometry on the previous even...