Intrathecal opioids in combination with bupivacaine has been shown to provide adequate sensory blockade and early recovery from spinal anesthesia. This study was investigated the added effects of intrathecal fentanyl 10 µg to bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia.

Sixty patients undergoing lower extremity surgery were into three groups. Group I received bupivacaine 10 mg (0.5%), gruop II received bupivacaine 5 mg with normal saline 1 ml, and group III received bupivacaine 5 mg with fentanyl 10 µg and normal saline 0.8 ml.

There was no significant difference between group I and group III in the peak level and duration of sensory block. But the intensity of motor blockade was decreased in group III compared with group I and side effects of spinal anesthesia with local anesthetics was decreased in group III compared with group I. In Group II, 7 patients were complained the pain during surgery.

Intrathecal fentanyl 10 µg with bupivacaine 5 mg on spinal blockade provide reliable anesthesia for lower extremity surgery.