Comparison of Two Different Doses of Buprenorphine as Adjuvants to Intrathecal Levobupivacaine in Lower Abdominal Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Levobupivacaine because of its longer duration of action and better safety profile has gained popularity in regional anaesthesia. Intrathecal opioids synergise with Local anaesthetics and potentiate subarachnoid block.  We conducted this study with the primary aim to compare analgesic efficacy of two different doses of buprenorphine as adjuvant to isobaric Levobupivacaine and the secondary aim to compare the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, hemodynamic variability and adverse effects if any.
Methods: One hundred and twenty patients of American society of anaesthesiologist (ASA) I and II were divided in 3 groups of 40 each. Group A :0.5%levobupivacaine, group B: 0.5%levobupivacaine with 60 mcg buprenorphine Group C:0.5 %levobupivacaine with 90mcg buprenorphine. Duration of analgesia, onset of sensory and motor block, VAS scores, haemodyanamic parameters and adverse effects were noted.
Results: The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in group C (11±0.41) h than group B (8.5±0.61) hour and Group A (4.8 ±40) hour (p < 0.001). Onset and duration of Sensory and motor blockade was not significantly different. VAS score was significantly lower in group C (p<0.001), hemodynamic parameters were well preserved with higher incidence of PONV in group C (10%).
Conclusion: Addition of buprenorphine to intrathecal Isobaric Levobupivacaine prolonged the duration and quality of postoperative analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. Increasing the dose of buprenorphine from 60mcg to 90mcg provided longer duration of analgesia with minimal adverse effects like dizziness and PONV which were not significant to hinder recovery.