AIM & OBJECTIVES: 1. To study and compare the synergistic effect of intrathecally administered Fentanyl & hyperbaric Bupivacaine on sensory and motor block characteristics and quality of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. 2. To study haemodynamic changes in all the groups. 3. To study the effect of these drugs on foetal well being.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study includes 120 patients belonging to ASA Grades I&II scheduled for caesarean section surgeries which are divided into 4 groups, each of 30 . GROUP-I : 0.5% Bupivacaine 1.8ml(9mg) +25mcg Fentanyl GROUP-II : 0.5% Bupivacaine 1.6ml(8mg) +25mcg Fentanyl GROUP-III : 0.5% Bupivacaine 1.4ml(7mg) +25mcg Fentanyl GROUP-IV: 0.5% Bupivacaine 1.2ml(6mg) +25mcg Fentanyl

The patients were observed intraoperatively for the onset of sensory block, onset and degree of motor block, quality of anaesthesia and total duration of analgesia along with maternal and foetal side effects.

RESULTS: Onset of sensory and motor block were almost similar in low dose of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine (i.e.6mg,7mg)and fentanyl 25μg groups. However the onset was faster with increasing doses of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine (i.e 8mg,9mg) and fentanyl 25μg groups.Total duration of analgesia lasted longer in group I than other groups. The addition of Fentanyl to Bupivacaine significantly delayed the postoperative pain and sensory recovery.

CONCLUSION: Addition of 25μg fentanyl to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for LSCS improved the quality of intraoperative anaesthesia and prolonged the postoperative analgesia and also decreased the dose of Bupivacaine with good maternal satisfaction and foetal well being.