Nebulized Fentanyl for Postoperative Pain Relief in Lower Abdominal Surgeries

Fentanyl is much more potent than morphine. Intravenous (IV) route for fentanyl administration has been the god standard for postoperative pain relief. Fentanyl is often associated with complications such as respiratory depression, bradycardia and hypotension. Fentanyl being highly lipophilic is suitable for use through pulmonary drug delivery route and pulmonary administration could be a new promising non-invasive method for systemic fentanyl administration. Further, it has been observed that on inhalation, fentanyl is absorbed rapidly and reaches maximum serum level in approx.2minutes. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of nebulised fentanyl with IV fentanyl for postoperative pain relief in lower abdominal surgery. The study design is a prospective, randomised clinical investigation. The sample size for the study is 100 patients, in two groups i. e, group C (control) and group N (nebulisation). Patients between the age group of 18-50 years of either gender, ASA physical status I or II, and who received spinal anesthesia without any intra operative adjuvant as analgesic are included in inclusion criteria. Patient who refuse to have regional anesthesia, pregnant or breast feeding women, with morbid obesity, respiratory, hepatic and renal insufficiency and who already on chronic analgesic use are included in exclusion criteria. The data obtained is statistically analysed by using chi-square test and students unpaired t-test. The values are found to be significant statistically at pless than0.05 level. The final results are in favour of nebulised fentanyl as a better mode of postoperative pain relief measure and is associated with minimal side effects as compared to the intravenous route of administration. The scope of the study is extended to the pediatric age groups for better pain relief. Here, the major limitation is that the non-cooperation of patients.