2020, Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part A

The aim of the study was to compare and evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of epidural dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine and epidural fentanyl with bupivacaine in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgeries which was done under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia.

Material and Methods: 100 cases were included and randomly divided into two groups BD and group BF (each=50): Group BD (Dexmedetomidine group): received 5ml/hour of 0.125% of bupivacaine with 1mcg of dexmedetomidine as epidural infusion for 48 hours postoperatively

Group BF (Fentanyl group): received 5ml/hour of 0.125% of bupivacaine with 2mcg of fentanyl as epidural infusion for 48 hours postoperatively.

Statistical Analysis: Independent- Samples t test, Cross tabs and Repeated Measure ANOVA were used. SPSS for windows (version 17.0) was employed for data analysis. P<0.05 was considered as significant and P<0.01 was considered as highly significant.

Results: Analgesia was better in group BD than group BF with significant p value less than 0.05 Requirement of rescue analgesics significantly less in group BD than group BF (P<0.05) The incidence of sedation was more in group BD as compared to group BF (P<0.05) Degree of motor block was more in groupm BD The adverse effects like nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pruritus, respiratory depression were less in group BD as compared to group BF (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Epidural Dexmedetomidine is a good additive with bupivacaine as compared to epidural fentanyl with bupivacaine in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgeries.