Riassunto dello studio

40 patients undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgery were randomized to receive an intrathecal injection of bupivacaine plus fentanyl and dextrose (n=20) compared to bupivacaine alone (n=20). The outcomes of interest included duration of anesthesia and analgesia, duration of numbness, the incidence of complications, prescription drug use, pain scores on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and vitals (blood pressure, heart rate). The duration of anesthesia and analgesia was significantly longer in the combination group vs, control, however, the duration of numbness was also longer. No differences in complication rate or prescription drug use were observed. VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the combination group at 6 and 24 hours post-surgery. Blood pressure and heart rate were lower in the control group at various points throughout the post-operative period.