TO COMPARE DEXMEDITOMIDINE WITH CLONIDINE AS ADJUVANTS TO ROPIVACAINE IN EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LOWER ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

OBJECTIVE To compare dexmedetomidine with clonidine as adjuvants to ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia with respect to onset of sensory and motor blockade, duration of postoperative analgesia, level of sedation and occurrence of side effects.MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was prospective randomized observational and comparative study. 60 patients of age between 20-50yrs with ASA grade I and II physical status, belonging to both sexes undergoing abdominal surgeries under epidural anesthesia are included in study, patients were allocated randomly into two groups comprising of 30 patients in each group. Group A patients are given Inj. Dexmedetomidine added to Ropivacaine and group B patients are given Inj. Clonidine added to Ropivacaine by Epidural route. Following parameters were observed intra and post operatively: Onset of sensory blockade and motor blockade and duration of motor blockade, level of of sedation, duration of analgesia and side effects. All data is presented in tabular form as Mean ± SD. Analysis is done by unpaired t test. Statistical analysis is done by using SPSS software. RESULTS Mean time of onset of sensory block in group A was 9.50min with standard deviation of 1.85, in group B was 9.48 min with standard deviation of 1.60. Mean time of onset of motor blockade in group A was 20.66mins with standard deviation of 2.83, in group B was 20.48 min with standard deviation of 2.52. Mean duration of analgesia in group A was 312.66mins with standard deviation of 22.02 and in group B was 314.20 min  with standard deviation of 24.58. There is no statistical difference in between two groups in level of sedation which was assessed by Wilsons sedation scale. Side effects most commonly observed are hypotension & bradycardia CONCLUSION We conclude that both alpha2 agonists dexmedetomidine and clonidine are similar in efficacy and tolerability as adjuvants in onset of sensory and motor blockade and in postoperative analgesia when added to ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia