Comparing the Effects of Intrathecal Buprenorphine versus Fentanyl as Adjuvant to Hyperbaric Ropivacaine in Lower Limb Surgeries

Background: Subarachnoid block is often the choice of anaesthesia for lower limb surgeries. Hyperbaric Ropivacaine, a newer commercially available local anaesthetic preparation, offers faster recovery and fewer cardiovascular effects than bupivacaine but has a shorter duration of action. To prolong anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia, opioids such as fentanyl and buprenor-phine are used as adjuvants to local anaesthetics.Aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intrathecal buprenorphine versus fen-tanyl as adjuvants to hyperbaric ropivacaine in lower limb surgeries.Material and Methods: A prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial was carried out in 76 patients, aged 18–60 years, belonging to ASA I and II and scheduled for lower limb pro-cedures under subarachnoid block. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group B was given 3 ml of 0.75% hyperbaric ropivacaine with 0.5 ml buprenorphine (150 mg), while Group F got the same dose of ropivacaine with 0.5 ml fentanyl (25 mg). Parameters assessed included onset,level, sensory and motor block duration, changes in the haemodynamics, postoperative analgesia, and side effects.Results: Group F showed a significantly faster onset (p=