Background: The utilization of subarachnoid blockade applies to all surgical procedures conducted in the infraumbilical region. This research aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of adding intrathecal fentanyl to 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine concerning the onset, duration, intensity, and recovery time of sensory and motor blockade in the subarachnoid block for infraumbilical surgery. Methods: N=80 consenting adult patients of both genders, categorized as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II and scheduled for infraumbilical surgery, were randomly assigned into two groups of 40 patients each. They received either intrathecal administration of 4 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine with 0.4 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride (Group I: Ropivacaine Control Group – RC) or 20 μg of fentanyl (Group II: Ropivacaine with Fentanyl – RF). The study endpoints included variations in hemodynamics, onset of analgesia at T10, maximum sensory analgesic level, time to complete motor blockade, duration of sensory and motor blockade, and adequacy of surgical anesthesia. Results: Intrathecal fentanyl expedited the onset of sensory blockade to the T10 dermatome and motor blockade. The addition of a small dose of intrathecal fentanyl to ropivacaine prolonged the duration of analgesia during the early postoperative period compared to intrathecal ropivacaine alone. Intraoperative hemodynamic variability did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Adding intrathecal fentanyl to 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine demonstrated a superior clinical profile compared to ropivacaine alone.

Background: The utilization of subarachnoid blockade applies to all surgical procedures conducted in the infraumbilical region. This research aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of adding intrathecal fentanyl to 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine concerning the onset, duration, intensity, and recovery time of sensory and motor blockade in the subarachnoid block for infraumbilical surgery. Methods: N=80 consenting adult patients of both genders, categorized as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II and scheduled for infraumbilical surgery, were randomly assigned into two groups of 40 patients each. They received either intrathecal administration of 4 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine with 0.4 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride (Group I: Ropivacaine Control Group – RC) or 20 μg of fentanyl (Group II: Ropivacaine with Fentanyl – RF). The study endpoints included variations in hemodynamics, onset of analgesia at T10, maximum sensory analgesic level, time to complete motor blockade, duration of sensory and motor blockade, and adequacy of surgical anesthesia. Results: Intrathecal fentanyl expedited the onset of sensory blockade to the T10 dermatome and motor blockade. The addition of a small dose of intrathecal fentanyl to ropivacaine prolonged the duration of analgesia during the early postoperative period compared to intrathecal ropivacaine alone. Intraoperative hemodynamic variability did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Adding intrathecal fentanyl to 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine demonstrated a superior clinical profile compared to ropivacaine alone.