Intrathecal fentanyl and sufentanil added to bupivacaine augments analgesia after surgical repair of hip fracture

Abstract

The aim of our study was to assess efficacy and safety of intrathecal fentanyl and sufentanil added to bupivacaine for surgical repair of fractured hip in patients over 60 years. After standard premedication group C was administered bupivacaine 0.5% 3ml+saline 1 ml, group F bupivacaine 0.5% 3ml+fentanyl 50 μg/1 ml and group S bupivacaine 0.5% 3ml+sufentanil 5 μg/l ml. Time to request for analgesia and side-effects were recorded. Duration of analgesia was longer in both opioid groups compared to control (5.4 h, P<0.001), and longer in S (9.5 h) than in F (8.1 h, P<0.05). There were no differences in bradycardia, hypotension, peripheral oxygen saturation below 90% and pruritus among groups. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were higher in F compared to C and S (P<0.05). Intrathecal fentanyl and sufentanil in our study significantly prolonged time to first request for analgesia and were safe to use even in old patients. Sufentanil appears to be more convenient because of longer analgesia and less postoperative nausea and vomiting.