“TWO DIFFERENT DOSES OF INTRATHECAL CLONIDINE FOR POST - OPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN LOWER LIMB SURGERIES - A COMPARISON"

Abstract

Background and Aim : Clonidine is added to intrathecal bupivacaine to increase the duration of block and provide postoperative analgesia. The study aimed to compare two different doses of clonidine with bupivacaine in lower limb surgery, and to know the optimal analgesic dose of clonidine. In this single blind randomize Methods: d, prospective comparative study, forty patients of the ASA grade I or II, posted for lower limb surgery, were randomly allocated into two groups. Group C-30 received 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 30 µg of clonidine and Group C-15 received 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 15 µg of clonidine. The mean onset of block, regression by two segments, duration of analgesia , hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects were assessed. Data analysis was done with statistical software SPSS Ver. 20 with Unpaired T test and Chi-square test. Onset of block was signicantly faster (p < 0.01) with Results: Group C30 than Group C15 ( 0.98 ± 0.07 min vs 1.34 ± 0.19 min) , whereas regression by two segments(192.45 ± 10.69 min vs 168.20 ± 7.89 min) and duration of analgesia (233.25 ± 23.23 mins vs 179.75 ± 9.06min) was signicantly prolonged in Group C30 than Group C15. Incidence of adverse events was comparable and not statistically signicant (p > 0.05) in Group C15 (40%) than in Group C30 (60%). Both doses Conclusion: of clonidine provide equally safe, effective and excellent quality of post-operative analgesia. 30mcg of Clonidine is the optimal analgesic dose for lower limb surgeries due to faster onset , longer time for regression by two segments and prolonged duration of post-operative analgesia without any signicant adverse effects.