Title: Comparison of Intrathecal Bupivacaine with or without Buprenorphine for Postoperative Pain Relief in Caesarean Section
Author: Dr Letha. J, MD, DA
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i8.10
Abstract
Background: Intrathecal route of administration has the advantage of greater technical ease, lower dose requirement and more selective analgesia. Intrathecal Bupivacaine with Buprenorphine seems to be an ideal combination of this purpose. This study was conducted to compare the effects of intrathecal Bupivacaine alone and its combination with Buprenorphine to assess the extent of postoperative pain relief in caesarean section patients.
Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were divided into two groups of twenty-five each. Group I received 10 mg of 0.5% heavy Bupivavacine with 1μg/kg of preservative free Buprenorphine upto a maximum of 60 μg intrathecally and Group II received 10 mg of 0.5% heavy Bupivacaine alone intrathecally.
Statistical Analysis used: To compare the statistical difference in various parameters, the arithmetic mean and standard deviation were calculated. The comparison between the two groups were accomplished using the student’s two sample “t” test.
Results: The onset of analgesia was considerably shorter in Group I than Group II. The duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly longer in Group I than in Group II. No major side effects or respiratory depression were observed in the study. However the mild side effects observed such as drowsiness, nausea and vomiting raise an element of caution.
Conclusion: From the present study it is evident that intrathecal Buprenorphine in a dose of 1 μg/kg in combination with Bupivacaine offers a simple, inexpensive, effective and safe means of good quality postoperative analgesia.
Keywords: Bupivacaine , Buprenorphine, Postoperative analgesia, Intrathecal, Caesarean.
