To compare the clinical efficacy & quality of analgesia provided by additional supplementation of Fentanyl Citrate with Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.125% in post operative pain relief through continuous epidural infusion after abdominal surgery

60 adult patients of ASA grade 1&2 for elective abdominal surgery having comparable demographic data were randomly divided into two groups. Group-1:Inj. Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.125%& Group-2: Inj. Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.125%& Inj. Fentanyl Citrate 2mcg/ml. The drugs were given by continuous epidural infusion. Vital parameters ,Visual analogue score and side effects were noted.

Post operative VAS score after 2 to 12 hours was in the range of 3 to 3.8 in Group 1 & 2.4 to 2.2 in Group 2.Group 2 had less pain & superior quality of analgesia when compared to group 1.After starting infusion there was fall in pulse rate & BP in both groups but the difference between both groups was not statistically significant. (P>0.05)

Addition of inj. Fentanyl Citrate 2mcg/ml to inj. Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.125% for continuous epidural infusion mode of administration significantly improved quality of analgesia without an attendant increase in side effects.