EFFECT OF INTRATHECAL DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS AN ADJUVANT TO BUPIVACAINE IN SPINAL ANESTHESIA: A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Spinal anesthesia using bupivacaine is widely employed for lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. However, its limited duration of action often necessitates the use of adjuvants. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist, has shown promising results in prolonging sensory and motor blockade. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted on 80 patients randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine alone, while Group B received bupivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine. Outcomes included onset time, duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative analgesia, and hemodynamic parameters. Results: The baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups, indicating no significant difference (p>0.05). The addition of dexmedetomidine significantly prolonged sensory and motor block duration and improved postoperative analgesia (p < 0.05) without major complications. VAS pain scores were consistently lower in Group B at all postoperative time intervals compared to Group A. Conclusion: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine is an effective and safe adjuvant to bupivacaine, enhancing the quality and duration of spinal anesthesia.