Analgesic effects of intrathecal sufentanil added to lidocaine 5% in elective cesarean section.

The quality of subarachnoid block can be improved by adding opioids to the local anesthetics. We compared the analgesic effects of different doses of intrathecal sufentanil added to lidocaine %5 for elective cesarean section. This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. 90 pregnant women with ASA class I-II, scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Three groups were made of them by random; Group 1 (control group) was given lidocaine 5% (75 mg) and 2 ml of normal saline. Patients in Group 2 received lidocaine 5% (75 mg) and 5 micrograms sufentanil plus 1ml normal saline. Group 3 patients received lidocaine 5% (75 mg) and 10 micrograms sufentanil. Duration of sensory block and effective analgesia (need to analgesic) were measured. Opioid related side effects were recorded. Duration of sensory block and effective analgesia were prolonged in sufentanil groups in comparison of control group(50.3±4) that was significantly more in group 3 (128 ± 4) versus group 2 (58.3 ± 10)(P < 0.001) . There was mild to moderate respiratory depression in sufentanil groups which was more noted in group 3 (p < 0.001). No differences were detected in other side effects such as hypotension, nausea & vomiting. The addition of sufentanil 10 versus 5 micrograms to lidocaine 5% provided more duration of analgesia for cesarean delivery. So, the adding of 10 micrograms sufentanil to lidocaine 5% for cesarean section has more effective analgesia with minimum side effects.