The impact of adding fentanyl to bupivacaine on spinal anesthesia for caesarean

Abstract

Background and aim: A spinal block is commonly used procedure for cesarean section surgery worldwide. It involves injecting fentanyl, an opioid, into the spinal fluid to enhance and prolong the analgesic effects of spinal anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding fentanyl to intrathecal bupivacaine for caesarean section on the duration and quality of analgesia and the reduction of local anesthetic dose requirement. Methods: This study compared the effects of two types of spinal anesthesia in women who had caesarean deliveries, as one group received both fentanyl and bupivacaine while the other group received only bupivacaine. Results: a significant differences in the duration of analgesia between the two groups (P-value = 0.02) was determined. The mean duration of analgesia in the bupivacaine only received group was (3:43) hours, while in the bupivacaine and fentanyl group was (5:2) hours. The pain relief also started faster for the group that received Bupivacaine and fentanyl than for the group that received only Bupivacaine. Conclusion: Fentanyl, when added to bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in cesarean section surgery, enhances the duration of sensory and motor block and prolongs the postoperative analgesia.