A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND MAGNESIUM SULPHATE AS AN ADJUVANT TO BUPIVACAINE FOR POSTOPERATIVE EPIDURAL ANALGESIA IN LOWER LIMB SURGERIES

Background:Pain is pathologic entity,noxious stimulus and a most common problems challenging the anaesthetist.Regional anaesthesia is a safe,inexpensive technique that inhibits the nerve transmission to relieve pain and also provide postoperative analgesia.Magnesium is N-methyl D-aspartate receptor and physiological calcium antagonist.Dexmedetomedine is α₂ receptor antagonist with analgesic and sedative properties.

Objectives: To compare the duration of postoperative analgesia,time of administration of first rescue analgesia,systemic side effects of epidural bupivacaine with Magnesium sulphate and dexmedetomidine.

Methods: After approval of ethical committee and informed written consent A prospective randomised study was conducted with Sixty ASA grade I and II patients aged between 18-60 years undergoing lower limb surgeries were divided into two groups of 30 each .Group BM and Group BD received 10ml of 0.125% bupivacaine with 100mg of 20%MgSo4 and 12.5mcg of dexmedetomidine respectively.Heart rate,mean arterial pressure,VAS score,time for first rescue analgesia were recorded postoperatively.Epidural analgesia was given when VAS score was more than 4.

Results:VAS was significantly less in group BM,time for first rescue analgesia was more in group BM compared to group BD without any systemic side effects .

Conclusion:Administration of Magnesium sulphate with bupivacaine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia compared with Dexmedetomidine without any systemic side effects.