Effect of intrathecal buprenorphine on the haemodynamic response in patients undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy under general anaesthesia

Abstract

: Combined regional and general anaesthesia for laparoscopic appendicectomy offers better intraoperative haemodynamic stability. Buprenorphine is a long acting opioid which can be administered intrathecally and provides excellent analgesia intraoperatively and post operatively while allowing early ambulation without prolonged motor block. The study aimed to compare the haemodynamic response during laparoscopic appendicectomy using combined general anaesthesia with intrathecal buprenorphine and general anaesthesia alone. In this observational study 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy were divided into two groups of 40 each by random sampling. The patients in the GA group received general anaesthesia whereas patients in the GA+SAB group received intrathecal buprenorphine along with general anaesthesia. The heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and SpOwere noted after induction of general anaesthesia, immediately after endotracheal intubation, after creating pneumoperitonium and post extubation. Student’s t test was used for comparing the haemodynamic variables There were no statistically significant differences between GA and GA+SAB group in the heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure after pneumoperitonium was created. When compared to general anaesthesia alone, addition of intrathecal burenorphine provides little advantage in preventing stress response during laparoscopic appendicectomy.