COMPARISON OF ANALGESIC EFFICACY OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE VERSUS FENTANYL AS AN ADJUNCT TO THORACIC EPIDURAL WITH BUPIVACAINE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING UPPER ABDOMINAL SURGERY

the purpose of the study was to compare and quantify the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomoidine and fentanyl when both were used as an adjunct to thoracic epidural in patients undergoing hepaticojejunostomy under general anaesthesia. the addition of dexmededtomidine to 0.125% bupivacaine intraoperatively and postoperatively significantly reduces the requirement of bupivacaine as compared to fentanyl with comparable hemodynamic stability. the total consumption of rescue analgesia was significantly lower in dexmedetomidine group as compared to fentanyl group. the postoperative pain scores were comparable throughout the study between two groups and patients in dexmedetomidine group were more sedated.The heart rate was significantly lower in dexmedetomidine group as compared to fentanyl though the other haemodynamic parameters were comparable throughout the study.two patients in fentanyl group developed PONV whereas 2 patients in dexmed group developed mild nausea.no other side effects were reported in either of the two groups.