Purpose: To comparatively study the efficacy and maternal and fetal side-effects of two doses of bupivacaine associated with morphine and clonidine, administered by the subarachnoid route for cesarean section.
Methods: The study included 66 pregnant women at term, distributed into two groups. GI: bupivacaine 8.0 mg (1.6 mL) + clonidine 75 µg (0.5 mL) + morphine 100 µg (1.0 mL) and GII: bupivacaine 10 mg (2.0 mL) + clonidine 75 µg (0.5 mL) + morphine 100 µg (1.0 mL). The following parameters were assessed: onset and maximum level of sensory block; quality of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia; degree and duration of motor block; maternal repercussions and Apgar score.
Results: The onset of sensory block, quality of intraoperative analgesia and total duration of analgesia were similar in both groups; maximum extent of sensory block predominated in T4; maximum degree of motor block (Bromage 3); time motor block regression was significantly longer in GII; Hemodynamic, respiratory repercussions, adverse maternal effects and Apgar scores were similar between groups. In both groups, there was a predominance of drowsy or sleeping patients.
Conclusion: The addition of morphine and clonidine to low doses of hyperbaric bupivacaine produced adequate anesthesia for cesarean section and good postoperative analgesia, without any maternal and fetal repercussions.