DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i01.001

Pages: 1-7

Our study was aimed to see whether the addition of clonidine to small-dose bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia provided a sufficient degree of block that would be adequate for inguinal herniorrhaphy and whether it prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia. We randomized 90 patients to 3 groups who received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 6 milligrams combined with 0.9% normal saline (Group A),with clonidine 15 micrograms (Group B) or clonidine 30 micrograms (Group C).All solutions were diluted with 0.9% normal saline to 3 milliliters .The duration of sensory block was the primary outcome measured. The mean upper level of sensory blockade on the dependent side was significantly higher (four to five dermatomes) in Groups B and C as compared with Group A. Two segment Regression time, time to request for first dose of analgesia, return of L1 sensation, and regression of motor block were significantly longer in Group B and C than in Group A. No differences were found among the groups in time to stand, walk and spontaneous urination. The addition of intrathecal clonidine 15 or 30 µg to small-dose bupivacaine increased the spread and duration of analgesia and produced an effective spinal anesthesia. This study has shown that use of clonidine 30 µg as adjuvant to small-dose (6 mg) bupivacaine is effective for ambulatory inguinal herniorrhaphy.