ABSTRACT : To compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as adjuvants to hyperbaric bupivacaine with a control group in regards to time of onset of sensory, motor blockade, Duration of sensory, motor blockade, Two segment sensory regression time, Duration of effective post- operative analgesia and incidence of side effects.

METHODS : A placebo controlled randomized, prospective study, after ethical committee approval was conducted in R.L. Jalappa hospital. 90 Adult Patients of either sex, aged between 20 to 45 years, of ASA Grade I, II undergoing elective surgeries under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 each. Each group received 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, with 10µg dexmedetomidine in group D, 25µg fentanyl in group F, 0.5ml normal saline in group C. Analysis was done using univariate analysis, ANOVA test and post hoc analysis.

RESULTS : In group D, time of onset of sensory, motor blockade was less, the duration of two segment sensory regression time, sensory, motor blockade and duration of effective postoperative analgesia was more compared to group F and group C and was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS : Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine is associated with faster onset of sensory, motor blockade, with significantly prolonged sensory, motor blockade with increased duration of postoperative analgesia compared to fentanyl and control group.