A comparative evaluation of lumbar epidural block using 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine with ketamine

Abstract

Epidural block with bupivacaine alone can provide analgesia in the early post operative period but as the block wears off, systemic analgesics like non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (HASID) or parentral opioids are offen required to relieve the pain. Epidural administration of opioids is an effective way of pain control in the post-operative period, but they are not free of side effects, the most serious of which is delayed respiratory depression. There is considerable evidence implicating Ketamine in the spinal inhibition of nociceptive transmission when administered epidurally. This study is intended to compare the sesory and the motor block between two groups.