A Comparative Study of Epidural, Bupivacaine with Buprenorphine and Bupivacaine with Fentanyl in Lower Limb Surgeries

Background This prospective randomised study was done to compare effects of epidural bupivacaine with buprenorphine over epidural bupivacaine with fentanyl for lower limb surgeries. Methods 60 patients in the age group 20-60 years belonging to ASA I-II posted for elective lower limb surgeries were divided into two groups of 30 each and studied.Group A received 0.5% Bupivacaine 15ml with 150 ug Buprenorphine.Group B received 0.5% Bupivacaine 15ml with 50ug Fentanyl. Intraoperatively, sensory and motor blockade, quality and duration of Postoperative analgesia, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, side effects like nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritus were studied. Results Both groups had faster onset of sensory and motor blockade. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group Athan Group B (766.6 vs 471 mins). The incidence of Nausea and vomiting was more in group A (40 %) compared to group B (10 %) and pruritus was more in group B (10%) compared to none in group A. Conclusion It is concluded that epidural buprenorphine is better in providing prolonged satisfactory postoperative analgesia as compared to epidural Fentanyl.