To investigate the effect of intrathecal fentanyl, 36 ASA physical status 1 or 2 parturients who underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia using 0.25% bupivacaine in 5.0% dextrose with 0.25mg morphine were studied. Patients were randomly
allocated to receive either saline 0.2ml (group 1, n=17) or fentanyl 10μg (group 2, n=19) in 3.525ml volume mixed with the bupivacaine with morphine.
Spinal anesthesia was performed in sitting position using a 25 guage spinal needle. At the completion of injection, patients immediately turned supine with left uterine displacement.
There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of the hypotension between groups. The progress of sensory and motor blocks was similar in the two groups. The times from drug injection to the onset to maximal sensory blockade
and
complete motor blockade, complete recovery of sensation and motor power were not different between groups. Post delivery, the incidence of visceral pain were significantly less in group 2, as 2 of 19 patients (10%) in group 2 compared to 8 of 17
patients (47%) in group 1 (p<0.05). The effective analgesia time was no significant different: 31.7±2.5 hour in group 1 compared to 28.6±5.6 hour in Group 2. The incidence of patients not requiring narcotics until discharge was similar in two
groups.
No patient showed any evidence of respiratory depression. The incidence of other side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and pruritus was not different between groups. No neonate had an Apgar score below 7.
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