Evaluation of Efficacy of Epidural Clonidine with 0.5% Bupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia for Orthopaedic Lower Limb Surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of epidural clonidine in intra and postoperative analgesia, the level of sedation caused by clonidine and monitor its side effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients of ASA1 & ASA2 scheduled for lower limb orthopaediac surgeries were chosen for the study. Study group received 50μg of clonidine diluted to 1ml along with first dose of epidural injection and Control group received 1ml of normal saline along with first dose of epidural. Intra and postoperative vitals, verbal pain rating scale (VRS), sedation score and number of rescue anlgesics required postoperatively were noted. Patients received rescue analgesic when VRS was 1.

RESULTS: Addition of clonidine to bupivacaine definitely improves the quality of analgesia by reducing the overall pain score, prolonging the duration of the time of first rescue analgesia and causing reduction of total analgesic consumption in the postoperative period without any hemodynamic instability. Sedation may be beneficial during the intraoperative period.

CONCLUSION: Epidural clonidine produces long lasting, good quality analgesia with good level of sedation and with minimal side effects.