BUPIVACAINE-CLONIDINE MIXTURE FOR EPIDURAL ANAESTHESIA

BACKGROUND: "Epidural anaesthesia" the most versatile and suitable technique of central neural blockade as it provides excellent pain relief both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Clonidine is a a2 adrenoreceptor agonist. Traditionally, used as antihypertensive, but now uses based on sedative, anxiolytic and analgesic properties are increasing day by day. The goal of this study is to evaluate the analgesic property of epidural clonidine in two different doses of 1ug/kg and 2ug/kg. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the department of Anaesthesiology M. L B Medical College Jhansi India. Subjects include 120 ASA status I and II patients of either sex, aged 21 years to 60 years, undergoing elective infraumbilical and lower limb surgery. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups: Group I Patient were given plain bupivacaine (0.5%) Group II Patient in this group were given 0.5% bupivacaine with clonidine in the dose of 1mg/kg body weight. Group III Patient in this group were given 0.5% bupivacaine with clonidine in the dose of 2mg/kg body weight RESULTS: Latency of sensory block as judged by loss of pin prick sensation was 16.63 +/- 3.08, 14.81 +/- 2.32, 11.13 +/- 2.08 min in Group I, Group II and Group III respectively. Percentage of patient with Grade III blockade were 40%, 67.5%, 77% in in Group I, Group II and Group III respectively. Mean duration of analgesia was 2.8 +/- 0.43, 4.7 +/- 0.56, 5.1 +/- 0.69 in Group I, Group II and Group III respectively. CONCLUSION: This can be concluded that epidural clonidine with bupivacaine shortens the onset of analgesia with good motor block, excellent haemodynamic stability and extended post-operative analgesia.