Comparison of 0.5% Levobupivacaine Versus 0.5% Isobaric Levobupivacaine with 3mcg Dexmedetomidine in Spinal Anaesthesia- A Comparative Study

Background: Effective postoperative pain control is an essential component of the care of the surgical patient. The present study was conducted to compare levobupivacaine 0.5% versus isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5% with 3mcg dexmedetomidine in spinal anaesthesia.Subjects and Methods:The present study was conducted on 80 patients of ASA Grade-I and Grade-II of both genders. They were divided into 2 groups of 40 each. Group I were those who received 3 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with 0.3 ml of normal saline and group II patients received 3 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with  3µg of dexmedetomidine. Parameters such as onset of sensory blockade at T10 dermatome and onset of motor blockade motor blockade, maximum level of sensory and motor blockade attained and the time taken for the same, total duration of sensory blockade and motor blockade were recorded.Results:Group I, ASA grade I was seen in 25 and II in 15, in group II, ASA grade I was seen in 22 and II in 18 patients. Group I comprised of 18 males and 22 females, group II had 20 males and 20 females. Mean duration of surgery in group I was 58.2 minutes in group I and 56.4 minutes in group II. Mean heart rate was 82.3 per minute in group I and 81.6 per minute in group II. The mean time required to obtained sensory block in group I was 10.4 minutes and in group II was 7.4 minutes. The mean time for motor block in group I was 8.2 minutes and in group II was 5.4 minutes. The mean time required to obtain motor block in group I was 16.5 minutes and in group II was 16.1 minutes.Conclusion:Authors found that addition of intrathecal dexmedetomidine to 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine shortens sensory and motor block onset time and prolongs block duration.