DOES THE ADDITION OF CLONIDINE AFFECT DURATION OF ANALGESIA OF BUPIVACAINE WOUND INFILTRATION IN INGUINAL-HERNIA SURGERY

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to compare analgesia obtained by wound infiltration using 29 mi of 0.25% bupivaca ine alone, or with the addition of clonidine hydrochloride 150 mu g. A third group received bupivacaine wound infiltration with clonidine 15 0 mu g i.m. to control for the systemic effects caused by absorption o f clonidine. We studied 46 adults undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair. The general anaesthetic technique, postoperative analgesia and wound infiltration technique were standardized. There was no differen ce in time to first analgesic request or to total analgesic consumptio n between the three groups during the 24-h study. Visual analogue scor es (VAS) at rest and after coughing were noted over a 24-h period. The only difference was higher VAS scores at rest at 24 h in the control group who received i.m. clonidine. We conclude that for elective ingui nal hernia repair, postoperative analgesia obtained by bupivacaine wou nd infiltration was not improved by the addition of clonidine 150 mu g .