Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Epidural anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for providing not only peri-operative surgical anesthesia but post-op analgesia in lower abdominal and limb surgeries. The present study compared dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for epidural analgesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries. Materials & Methods: 72 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I and II who underwent lower limb orthopedic surgery of both genders were randomly divided into two groups. Group I received Ropivacaine + Dexmedetomidine (RD) and group II received Ropivacaine + Fentanyl (RF). Hemodynamic parameters was recorded. Results: The mean duration of surgery (min) was 104.2 in group I and 126.4 in group II. Sensory block at T10 was 7.2 minutes and in group II was 9.0 minutes, time for maximum sensory block level (min) was 13.6 in group I and 16.2 minutes in group II. Complete motor block (min) was 18.1 in group I and 22.4 in group II and dose of mephenteramine requirement (mg) was 11.6 in group I and 8.5 in group II. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is better alternative to fentanyl as an epidural adjuvant as it provides comparable stable hemodynamics.