Application of tourniquet is an integral part of lower limb orthopedic surgeries, however it is associated with tourniquet pain and haemodynamic changes both on inflation and deflation. Intrathecal addition of clonidine to local anaesthetics has gained popularity for increased duration of aanalgesia but it is associated with increased incidence of hypotension and bradycardia. We undertook this study with the objective to study the effects  of addition of intrathecal clonidine to bupivacaine on tourniquet related haemodynamic changes in lower limb orthopaedicsurgeries.

60 patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries in the dept of anaesthesiogy, GMC, Bhopal with tourniquet application  under SAB were randomly divided in two groups:

Group P: To receive 3.0 ml Bupivacaine + 0.2 ml NS (placebo).

Group C: To receive 3.0 ml Bupivacaine + 30 mcg clonidine.

Both the groups were observed  for changes in blood pressure and heart rate during tourniquet inflation and deflation. Also tourniquet pain was observed both intraoperatively and postoperatively and compared in both the groups along with sedation and other adverse effects.

Intrathecal addition of clonidine to bupivacaine significantly increases the duration of analgesia. Although the fall in BP  after tourniquet deflation was more in clonidine group, the difference was not statistically significant.