ISSN 2756-3324
African Journal of Medicine and Surgery ISSN 2756-3324 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluating the Therapeutic Benefits and Adverse Effects of Intrathecal Analgesia: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Abdul Muthalib Hussain* Badrudeen Mahmood Buhary, Shaeeb Mustafa, Areej Al Godair and Zikrullah Tamanna
King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Accepted 24 April, 2024
Abstract
Spinal anesthesia effectively offers sufficient motor block and pain relief during the early postoperative phase. To enhance postoperative analgesia, various adjuncts have been incorporated into local spinal anesthetics. This study aims to evaluate the benefits and side effects of intrathecal midazolam versus ketamine in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries. Conducted as a prospective, open-label, parallel assignment, randomized, single-center trial, the study involved eighty patients aged 20 to 60 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I and II, admitted for lower limb surgery over a period of six months. Key data collected included intra-operative and postoperative vital signs, pain levels assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), adverse effects during and after surgery, and the timing of postoperative analgesic supplementation. Results indicated that the intrathecal ketamine group (Group I) had significantly higher VAS scores compared to the midazolam group (Group II). The average time until supplemental analgesics were needed postoperatively was notably shorter for Group I (482 ± 68.22 minutes) than for Group II (645 ± 61.28 minutes), with this difference being statistically significant (p < 0.001).In conclusion, the combination of intrathecal midazolam and bupivacaine offers superior and prolonged postoperative analgesia compared to intrathecal ketamine with bupivacaine, with fewer side effects reported in the midazolam group.
Key words: Analgesia, intrathecal analgesia, ketamine, midazolam.