Effects of Nalbuphine and Fentanyl as Adjuvants to (0.5 %) Isobaric Levobupivacaine in Subarachnoid Block for Elective Transurethral Endoscopic Surgeries

Abstract

BACKGROUND Isobaric levobupivacaine has minimal effect on positional variation of sensory and motor blockade given intrathecally. Also, it has lesser cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Present study was done to compare efficacy, analgesia haemodynamic effects and any adverse effects after spinal anaesthesia with isobaric levobupivacaine with nalbuphine and fentanyl as adjuvants in transurethral endoscopic surgeries. METHODS 60 male adult patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA class I-III) of age group 40 - 80 years were randomized into 2 groups (n = 30) in this prospective, double blinded study. 10 mg of 0.5 % levobupivacaine with 25 µg fentanyl in group LF and 10 mg of 0.5 % levobupivacaine with 0.8 mg nalbuphine in group LN. Parameters assessed were sensory and motor blockade characteristics and hemodynamic variables in both the groups. Adverse effects were recorded if any. RESULTS Onset of sensory and motor blockade were significantly faster in group LF compared to group LN. In both the groups, time for two segment regression was comparable. Statistically significant prolonged analgesic duration was noticed in group with nalbuphine than fentanyl as adjuvant to isobaric levobupivacaine. Difference in haemodynamic variation was not significant in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS Intrathecal nalbuphine 0.8 mg as an adjuvant with isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5 % 10 mg is as efficacious as fentanyl 25µg in transurethral endoscopic surgeries in elderly population with better hemodynamic stability. KEY WORDS Levobupivacaine; Fentanyl; Nalbuphine; Spinal anaesthesia.