Published August 30, 2025 | Version v1

Effect of Clonidine and Bupivacaine in Intrathecal Versus Peripheral Nerve Block Routes in Arthroscopic Knee Surgery: Prospective Observational Study

  • 1. Ex. Senior Resident, MD Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal – 700073
  • 2. Assistant Professor, MD Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal – 700073
  • 3. Ex. Senior Resident, MD Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical College Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
  • 4. Head of the Department, MD Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal 700023

Description

Abstract 
Background and Aims: A large number of patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgeries complain of 
inadequate pain relief. Clonidine and bupivacaine were administered through intrathecal route and femorosciatic 
nerve block route and evaluated for more favourable perioperative outcome between them. 
Methods: An open label randomized controlled trial was planned in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India in 
which 50 American Society of Anaesthesiologists I and II patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery were 
enrolled. They were divided into two groups-Group IT and Group NB, by using computer-generated block 
randomization technique. Group IT received 1 μg/kg of clonidine along with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, 
whereas Group NB received 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 μg/kg clonidine in femorosciatic nerve block (FSNB). 
Postoperative pain-free interval and block characteristics were the primary outcomes studied. 
Results: Pain-free duration was 522.08(±21.18) min in Group NB (P < 0.001) in comparison to 325.33(±17.85) 
min in Group IT. Sensory block and motor blockade in NB were 469.58(± 15.17) and 264.88(±14.87) min, 
respectively, and was significantly prolonged in comparison to Group IT (P < 0.001). The mean rescue 
analgesic requirement was less in Group NB as compared to Group IT. 
Conclusion: Clonidine in a dose of 1 μg/kg with bupivacaine has better perioperative outcome through FSNB 
route in comparison to its use via intrathecal route in arthroscopic knee surgery. It provided stable haemodynamic 
and respiratory parameters intra and postoperatively, increased duration of sensory block and pain-free period, 
lesser 24 h rescue analgesic requirement making it ideal for post knee surgery pain. 

Abstract (English)

Abstract 
Background and Aims: A large number of patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgeries complain of 
inadequate pain relief. Clonidine and bupivacaine were administered through intrathecal route and femorosciatic 
nerve block route and evaluated for more favourable perioperative outcome between them. 
Methods: An open label randomized controlled trial was planned in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India in 
which 50 American Society of Anaesthesiologists I and II patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery were 
enrolled. They were divided into two groups-Group IT and Group NB, by using computer-generated block 
randomization technique. Group IT received 1 μg/kg of clonidine along with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, 
whereas Group NB received 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 μg/kg clonidine in femorosciatic nerve block (FSNB). 
Postoperative pain-free interval and block characteristics were the primary outcomes studied. 
Results: Pain-free duration was 522.08(±21.18) min in Group NB (P < 0.001) in comparison to 325.33(±17.85) 
min in Group IT. Sensory block and motor blockade in NB were 469.58(± 15.17) and 264.88(±14.87) min, 
respectively, and was significantly prolonged in comparison to Group IT (P < 0.001). The mean rescue 
analgesic requirement was less in Group NB as compared to Group IT. 
Conclusion: Clonidine in a dose of 1 μg/kg with bupivacaine has better perioperative outcome through FSNB 
route in comparison to its use via intrathecal route in arthroscopic knee surgery. It provided stable haemodynamic 
and respiratory parameters intra and postoperatively, increased duration of sensory block and pain-free period, 
lesser 24 h rescue analgesic requirement making it ideal for post knee surgery pain. 

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Additional details

Dates

Accepted
2025-09-08