Abstract
Background: Pain in the perioperative period is common in parturient undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. This study aims at evaluating the effect of intrathecal combination of clonidine and bupivacaine compared with bupivacaine alone on the block characteristic in elective caesarean section.
Methods: Sixty healthy parturient at term, scheduled for elective caesarean delivery were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally hyperbaric bupivacaine alone (Group B) or combined with 75µg of clonidine (Group C). The peak sensory block level(PSBL), time to reach peak block level (TPSBL) from injection, time to two segment regression (TTSR), side effects and time to the first analgesic request(TFAR)- after surgery were recorded and statistically analysed.
Results: Time to two segment regression was significantly prolonged in Group C (78.87±13.362 mins.) as compared to Group B (69.70±14.005 min) (P =0.012). There was significant prolongation of postoperative analgesia as seen by the time to first analgesic request after surgery in Group C (3.550±1.1013 hours) as compared to Group B (2.350±0.9016 hours) (P=0.000). There was increased incidence of hypotension and nausea in Group C compared to other two groups (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Addition of 75 µg of clonidine to bupivacaine prolonged the perioperative analgesia; however, it was associated with increased side effects like nausea, vomiting & hypotension.

Key words: Intrathecal, clonidine, spinal anaesthesia, caesarean section