European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: In this study, we wanted to evaluate intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine with different doses of buprenorphine for infraumbilical surgeries on concurrent administration, with regard to the onset of sensory and motor blockade, the duration of motor blockade and effectiveness of post-operative analgesia. Materials And Methods: This was a hospital based prospective randomized clinical study conducted among 70 patients who underwent infraumbilical surgeries, in Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, over a period of 18 months from December 2019 to September 2021 after obtaining clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent from the study participants.  Results: The onset of sensory and motor blockade was comparable in both the groups. The duration of post-operative analgesia was longer in group 2 (60 mcg) when compared to group 1 (30 mcg) (p < 0.001). Side effects were noted with higher dose of 60 mcg than 30 mcg of buprenorphine.  Conclusion: The addition of buprenorphine 30 mcg and 60 mcg to intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine is safe as it does not produce excessive sedation or respiratory depression. Addition of 60 mcg buprenorphine to 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine significantly prolongs the duration of post-operative analgesia better than 30 mcg buprenorphine (p value < 0.001) and the request for first analgesics without any significant motor blockade prolongation. Side effects like nausea and vomiting were noted to be seen significantly higher with dose 60 mcg than 30 mcg buprenorphine (p value 0.012). The patient’s well-being was satisfactory in both the groups.