Comparison of Effect of Intrathecal Fentanyl-bupivacaine and Tramadol-bupivacaine Combination

Introduction: This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind study compares the effect of intrathecal fentanylbupivacaine and tramadol-bupivacaine on the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, as well as postoperative analgesia in lower abdominal surgeries. Materials and methods: Patients of either sex, aged 18 to 60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I/II undergoing lower abdominal surgeries like appendicectomy, inguinal hernia repair surgery, and hydrocele surgery were administered either 2.5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.5 mL (25 μg) of fentanyl citrate (group F) or 2.5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.5 mL (25 mg) of tramadol (group T) intrathecally. Monitoring of the vital parameters, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of postoperative analgesia, visual analog scale (VAS) score, sedation score, and any adverse drug reactions was done at predetermined intervals. Results: Sixty patients were randomized to the group F (n = 30) and group T (n = 30). The duration of sensory blockade was significantly prolonged in group F (314.66 ± 49.25 minutes) as compared to group T (261.66 ± 27.92 minutes). Similarly, duration of motor blockade was longer in group F (263.66 ± 40.97 minutes) compared to group T (214.66 ± 26.61 minutes). The total duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged (p < 0.001) in group F (412 ± 97.888 minutes) compared to group T (301 ± 38.75 minutes). Hemodynamic parameters, such as pulse, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation were comparable in both the groups. Visual analog scores were significantly lower in the group F patients as compared to the group T patients. The group F patients had got significantly higher sedation scores as compared to Group T patients. Discussion: Fentanyl 25 μg, when added to 2.5 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, confers prolonged duration of sensory and motor blockade than 25 mg tramadol added to 2.5 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. The bupivacaine-fentanyl combination prolonged duration of sensory and motor blockade, improved analgesia, as manifested by lower pain scores, and prolonged duration of postoperative analgesia.