EFFECT OF ORAL AND INTRATHECAL CLONIDINE ON SPINAL ANAESTHESIA

Objectives:To compare the effects of oral and intrathecal clonidine on spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine Method: 92 patients posted for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries were included in this study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups, 30 patients received oral clonidine 2.5 mcg/kg prior to spinal anaesthesia with3cc of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine, 31 patients were given 75mcg of clonidine intrathecally with 3cc of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 31 patients received plain 3 cc of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine. Results: The age and weight distribution were similar in the three groups. The onset of sensory and motor blockade was seen to occur earlier in the intrathecal group compared to the other two groups. The degree of sedation was higher among the group that received oral clonidine. There was a statistical significance among the three groups with respect to postoperative analgesia with the intrathecal group having the longest duration. There was no statistical significance among the three groups with respect to the pulse rate and blood pressure and adverse effects. Conclusion: The addition of 75mcg clonidine intrathecally to 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia provides better postoperative analgesia, earlier onset of sensory and motor blockade and less sedation as compared to oral clonidine, with both groups demonstrating similar haemodynamic profiles.