Syed Ali Aasim1 , Vishnuvardhan Reddy 2 , Anil K 3 , Maheshwar Reddy 4 , M. Mahesh
BACKGROUND This prospective randomized double-blind study was designed to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of intrathecal midazolam and fentanyl as an additive agent to bupivacaine for lower abdominal elective surgeries. METHODS Sixty patients classified in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes I and II scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries were studied. Patients were randomly divided to receive either 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 1mg midazolam (group BM, n=30) or 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 25 μg fentanyl (group BF, n=30) intrathecal. RESULTS The time of onset and the duration of motor blockade were comparable among the groups while the time to sensory block regression was same in group BM and group BF. The duration of postoperative analgesia was similar in group BM and group BF. While it was same for group BM and BF. Symptoms of pruritus and vomiting was more in group BF. CONCLUSION We conclude that midazolam is as effective as fentanyl in prolonging the durations of both sensory block and analgesia with less side effects
