Background: Neuraxial administration of opioids with local anaesthetics improve the quality of intraoperative analgesia. It is also known to produce a longer duration of postoperative analgesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intrathecal plain bupivacaine with bupivacaine and fentanyl combination in patients who undergo a lower segment caesarean section.

Methods: A total of 100 patients were randomized into two groups of 50 each to receive either plain bupivacaine or bupivacaine with fentanyl. The hemodynamic changes, sensory and motor blockade were observed both intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Results: 10 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine with 12.5 µg fentanyl produces an effective level of the sensory blockade and maintains stable intraoperative hemodynamic parameters with decreased incidences of adverse effects like nausea and vomiting. The total duration of effective analgesia was significantly longer in the fentanyl group.

Conclusions: Intrathecal fentanyl in a dose of 12.5µg of fentanyl with bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in caesarean section provides good intraoperative analgesia and also significantly reduces the demand for postoperative analgesia.