The effect of addition of intrathecal sufentanil to hyperbaric bupivacaine in cesarean section- a prospective randomized study

Abstract

Aim: Present study was done to evaluate the influence of addition of sufentanil to bupivacaine 0.5% heavy, on various characteristics of subarachnoid block, when given to parturients.
Methodology: The present prospective randomized clinical study of 60 patients was carried out in the Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and SSG Hospital, Baroda. Spinal anesthesia was given in lumbar intervertebral space L3-L4, with midline approach, using 23 G spinal needle. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, to receive either inj bupivacaine heavy 0.5% (Group B) or inj bupivacaine heavy 0.5% plus 10 µg sufentanyl (Group BS). Various parameters monitored were vital parameters, sensory block, motor block, neonatal outcome, intra-operative complications, postoperative analgesia and postoperative complications.
Results: The mean time for onset of sensory block was 78.46 ± 2.32 sec in Group B and 37.93 ± 1.39 sec in Group BS. The mean onset of motor block in Group B was 59.2 ± 2.76 sec while in Group BS it was 51.93 ± 1.48 sec. The difference was statistically significant. Patients in Group B were alert (grade 0) intra-operatively whereas majority of patients in Group BS had grade II sedation, denotes that they were sleepy but arousable.
Conclusion: Addition of 1ml (10 µg) sufentanil to 2 ml of bupivacaine heavy (0.5%) intrathecally hastens the onset and prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade. Hemodynamic parameters are not affected with the inclusion of sufentanil.