Comparative study of epidural dexmedetomidine and epidural fentanyl with bupivacaine in total knee replacement surgeries as postoperative analgesia: An observational, double blind, randomized, clinical study

Abstract

Background: Epidural analgesia is one of the common method for treating postoperative pain in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgeries. The aim of the study was to compare and evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of epidural dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine and epidural fentanyl with bupivacaine in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgeries which was done under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia.Material and Methods: 100 cases were included and randomly divided into two groups BD and group BF (each=50): Group BD (Dexmedetomidine group): received 5ml/hour of 0.125% of bupivacaine with 1mcg of dexmedetomidine as epidural infusion for 48 hours postoperativelyGroup BF (Fentanyl group): received 5ml/hour of 0.125% of bupivacaine with 2mcg of fentanyl as epidural infusion for 48 hours postoperatively.Statistical Analysis: Independent- Samples t test, Cross tabs and Repeated Measure ANOVA were used. SPSS for windows (version 17.0) was employed for data analysis. P