Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2022)

Introduction: Positioning intertrochanteric fracture cases for subarachnoid block is challenging. Fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) helps in positioning and provides analgesia. AIM: To study and compare FICB with inj bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine (DMT) and inj bupivacaine with regard to: 1. Positioning of patient during subarachnoid block 2. Duration of postoperative analgesia. Methods: After obtaining approval from institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the patient,120 patients aged between 30-80 years belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologist class 1 and 2 scheduled for closed reduction and internal fixation for intertrochanteric fracture were allocated into two groups. Group A received FICB with inj. bupivacaine 0.25% of 20ml and inj. DMT 0.5µg/kg and Group B received FICB with inj. bupivacaine 0.25% of 20ml. Onset and duration of analgesia were recorded in terms of VAS. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software and t-test was used as test of significance and P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: In group A, mean VAS score at 10 min was 5.39±0.61 and in group B it was 6.46±0.50, similarly at 15min mean VAS score in group A was 1.49±0.50 and in group B it was 5.36±0.51. Mean time for rescue analgesia in group A was 407.5±20.13 and in group B was 291.91±18.81 which was significant. Conclusion: Fascia iliaca compartment block with dexmedetomidine reduces the duration of onset of block and significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia.