Evaluation of the analgesic effect of fentanyl as an additive to intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine for lower limb surgery

INTRODUCTION: Spinal anaesthesia has been a widely used, safe and effective form of anaesthesia for lower abdominal and extremity surgeries. Intrathecal ropivacaine as a local anaesthetic drug has been introduced into clinical practice as it meets the desired goals of anaesthesia while minimizing the potential side effects. The addition of different adjuvants along with local anaesthetic has shown to have synergistic effect by prolonging the analgesic property and the duration of sensory-motor blockade and decreasing the dose requirement of local anaesthetic. Fentanyl in this regard has also shown some promising effects. The addition of intrathecal fentanyl to ropivacaine may improve the quality of block and early postoperative mobility. Thus we compare the use of ropivacaine along with an adjunct (fentanyl) versus a single agent to attain the desired anesthetic effect while minimizing the associated side effects.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to compare analgesic efficacy of intrathecal ropivacaine with fentanyl versus ropivacaine alone in lower limb surgeries.We will compare the onset and duration of sensory blockade and motor blockade and maximum height of sensory blockade achieved. We will also look for safety and side effects, if any in both the groups.