Background and Objective: The target of our study compares the effect of dexamethasone versus dexmedetomidine when used as adjuvant to bupivacaine for improving the analgesic effect of spinal anesthesia after lower abdominal surgeries.
Patients and methods: The patients were divided into 3 groups: Control group [I], in which patients were administered 3 ml bupivacaine [0.5%] plus 1 ml of saline, Dexmedetomidine group [II], in which patients were administered 3 ml bupivacaine [0.5%] plus 10 μg dexmedetomidine in1 ml saline, and Dexamethasone group [III], in which patients were administered 3 ml bupivacaine [0.5%] plus 4 mg dexamethasone in 1 ml saline.
Results: As regarding duration of sensory blockade was significantly longer in Dexmedetomidine group [II ] and Dexamethasone group [III] when compared to the Control group [I] [p-value=0.02] and also as regards to the duration of motor blockade was significantly longer in Dexmedetomidine group [II ] and Dexamethasone group [III] when compared with Control group [I] [p-value=0.02].
Conclusion: Our study perceived that intrathecal dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia prolong the duration of sensory, motor block and improved postoperative analgesia but dexmedetomidine is superior to dexamethasone