A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Bupivacaine and Bupivacaine with Different Doses of Clonidine in Lower Limb Surgeries

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal clonidine is a very safe, nonopioid adjuvant to local anesthetics to prolong the duration of analgesia without any major side effects. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of clonidine in two different doses as an adjuvant to bupivacaine intrathecally in lower limb surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 adult patients scheduled to undergo lower limb surgeries were randomly allocated into either of three groups of 25 patients. Group I received 12.5 mg bupivacaine, Group II patients received bupivacaine 12.5 mg with clonidine 15 μg, and patients in Group III received bupivacaine 12.5 mg with clonidine 30 μg intrathecally. A total volume of 3 ml was made in all groups using normal saline. The hemodynamic parameters, onset, and duration of sensory block, highest dermatomal level of sensory block, motor block onset, time to complete motor block recovery, and mean time to request of the first analgesic were recorded. Side effects or any other complications were noted. RESULTS: The mean time of onset of sensory block and motor block was less in clonidine groups. The mean duration of sensory block was significantly prolonged in clonidine groups as compared to study group. The duration of motor block (in minutes) was significantly prolonged in Group III (171.60 ± 38.20) as compared to Group I (113.20 ± 35.79) and Group II (115.20 ± 38.41). The time of analgesic request in Group I was 148.16 ± 43.99 min, 190.60 ± 38.08 in Group II, and 200.80 ± 59.85 min in Group III. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of intrathecal clonidine 15 μg to small dose bupivacaine increased the spread, duration of analgesia, and produced effective spinal anesthesia with stable hemodynamics and did not prolong postoperative motor block.