Comparison of 1% Chloroprocaine and 1% Chloroprocaine with Clonidine In Day care Surgeries Under Spinal Anaesthesia: A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Delayed ambulation due to prolonged residual blockade and urinary retention with Bupivacaine and Transient Neurological symptoms with Lignocaine have been the main limitation of spinal anaesthesia for day care surgery. Preservative free 1% Chloroprocaine is an alternative to Lidocaine in day care surgery. We compared the efficacy of 1% Chloroprocaine alone and with Clonidine in patients posted for day care surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=30 each). Group C patients received 30 mg of 1% Chloroprocaine and Group CC patients were given 30 mg of 1%Chloroprocaine with 30 mcg Clonidine intrathecally. Time for onset, duration of sensory and motor block, Peak level dermatome, duration of analgesia and time of first mobilization was noted. Results: Time of onset of sensory and motor block were faster in Group CC (P<0.05). Higher peak level dermatome achieved in Group CC. Duration of motor block was increased with addition of Clonidine (69 min.vs76 min;P=0.006),prolonged duration of analgesia in Group CC as compared to Group C (193 min vs100 min;P= 0.00) and prolonged time of first mobilization in Group C vs Group CC (120 min vs 210 min) were the main observations.. No subject reported any Transient Neurologic Symptom. Conclusion: Addition of Clonidine as an adjuvant to Chloroprocaine in low doses provides early onset and prolonged sensory and motor block, prolonged duration of analgesia along with improved quality of spinal anaesthesia in comparison to Chloroprocaine alone.