Effect of nebulized versus intravenous fentanyl for postoperative analgesia after unilateral femur interlock surgery

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed to compare the effect of nebulized fentanyl versus intravenous fentanyl for postoperative analgesia after unilateral femur interlock surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of sixty patients scheduled for unilateral femur interlock surgery under subarachnoid block were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into two groups. Group I included thirty patients who received 2 μg/kg of fentanyl intravenously, and Group N included thirty patients who received 4 μg/kg of fentanyl nebulization using a standard venturi mask. In the postoperative period, whenever the Visual Analog Scale ≥4, patients received the analgesic corresponding to their respective groups. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS software. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics, duration of surgery, the number of patients who required rescue analgesia, and the onset of analgesia in Group N in comparison with Group I. The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group N in comparison to Group I. In Group I, the rise in Ramsay sedation score was faster and peaked at 5 min. In Group N, however, it was lesser than that of Group I. Side effects in Group N were significantly lesser compared to Group I. Conclusion: Nebulization with fentanyl is a good alternative to intravenous fentanyl for adequate postoperative pain relief with fewer side effects.