Analgesic Effect of Nalbuphine When Added to Intravenous Regional Anesthesia: A Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND Different adjuvant drugs are currently added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) to decrease tourniquet and postoperative pain. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the effect of nalbuphine when added toIVRA. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING Assiut University Hospitals. METHODS One hundred-six adult patients scheduled for unilateral hand surgery under IVRA were randomized into 2 equal groups. The lidocaine-nalbuphine (LN) group received nalbuphine plus lidocaine and the lidocaine (L) group received lidocaine. A tourniquet and postoperative pain were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The following parameters were measured: onset and recovery time for both sensory and motor blocks, intra- and postoperative analgesic consumption, time to first analgesic request, postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (PONV), hemodynamics, and cortisol levels. RESULTS Early tourniquet and postoperative pain were significantly lower in the LN group. The onset time for both sensory and motor blocks was significantly shorter in the LN group. In addition, the recovery time for both sensory and motor blocks was longer in the LN group. Intra- and postoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the LN group with no significance in postoperative diclofenac consumption. The patient first analgesic request was significantly delayed in the LN group (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in PONV, hemodynamic parameters abnormalities, medications adverse events or cortisol levels. LIMITATIONS The inclusion of a study group in which the nalbuphine administered systemically could determine whether its beneficial effects were due to its local or systemic action. CONCLUSIONS Nalbuphine decreases early tourniquet and postoperative pain after IVRA and delays the need for analgesic rescue. In addition, nalbuphine accelerates the onset and prolongs the recovery time for both sensory and motor blocks with no significant adverse events. However, it has no effect on postoperative cortisol levels.Key words: Intravenous, regional anesthesia, lidocaine, nalbuphine, pain, postoperative.