Dexmedetomidine Versus Fentanyl Plus Bupivacaine for Epidural Analgesia With General Anesthesia for Lumbar Disc Operations

Adding Dexmedetomidine Versus Fentanyl to Bupivacaine for Epidural Analgesia in Combination With General Anesthesia for Elective Lumbar Disc Operations: Prospective, Randomized Double-blinded Study

The purpose of this study is to compare addition of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl to bupivacaine for epidural analgesia in combination with general anesthesia in elective lumbar spine operations as regard hemodynamic stability, postoperative pain control and adverse effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Physical status American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) I or II.
• First time elective lumbar dicsectomy or laminectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who refuse to participate
• Body mass index (BMI) > 30
• Need an emergency lumbar disc operation
• ASA physical status > II
• Major illnesses (e.g. cardiac, respiratory, renal, liver)
• Coagulation abnormalities
• Hypovolemia
• History of increased intracranial pressure
• Convulsions
• Spinal stenosis
• Infection at needle insertion site
• Other contraindications to epidural procedure
• Allergy or contraindications to the drugs used in the study
• History of addiction or alcohol abuse
• Psychiatric illness or mental retardation