EFFECT OF ADDING DEXMEDETOMIDINE VS FENTANYL TO INTRATHECAL BUPIVACAINE SPINAL BLOCK CHARACTERISTICS IN ABDOMINAL PROCEDURES

Abstract

Spinal anesthesia is a standard technique for lower abdominal surgeries due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of administration. However, postoperative pain management remains challenging because local anesthetics alone have a limited duration of action, necessitating early postoperative analgesic intervention. Intrathecal dexmedetomidine is an effective alternative to fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for lower abdominal surgeries, offering prolonged analgesia and motor blockade with opioid-sparing benefits and reduced postoperative analgesic consumption.