Comparison of dexmedetomidine v/s buprenorphine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for infraumbilical surgeries

Abstract

Background: There has been a constant research towards the invention of adjuvants to local anesthetics in spinal anesthesia so as to improve the efficacy, minimize the side effects and to provide excellent perioperative analgesia. In this journey, the invention of non-opioid adjuvants to replace the most popular opioid adjuvant has taken a lead role. With this background, in our study we have compared Dexmedetomidine with Buprenorphine as an adjuvant to 0.5% levobupivacaine in spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. Methods: Sixty patients randomly allocated to two groups wherein Group LD received 5 mcg of dexmedetomidine with 15mg of 0.5% Levobupivacaine and Group LB received 75 mcg of Buprenorphine with 15 mg of 0.5% Levobupivacaine. Results: There was no significant difference in the onset time of sensory and motor block in group LD and group LB. The duration of sensory and motor block is statistically significantly prolonged in Group LD as compared to Group LB. Degree of Sedation was better in Group LD when compared with Group LB. Hemodyanamic stability was preserved in both the groups. The time for first rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group LD compared to Group LB. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% levobupivacaine in spinal anesthesia produces longer duration of sensory and motor block but takes slightly more time to attain complete motor block as compared to Buprenorphine. Dexmedetomidine also provides an additional benefit of providing conscious sedation with fewer side effects.