Intravenous Nalbuphine as a Sole Analgesic in Head and Neck Oncosurgeries.

Abstract

Background: Aim: To assess the analgesic and hemodynamic stability of nalbuphine as a sole analgesic in head and neck oncosurgeris.  Subjects and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the effect of intravenous nalbuphine in adult patients undergoing head and neck oncology surgeries. A total of 101 ASA I to III patients were included in the study. Patients aged 18 to 80 years scheduled for head and neck oncology surgeries were included. Results: The average duration of analgesia was 223.63 minutes. The mean pulse rate preoperatively was 84.4213.38 per minute. The duration of analgesia (360 minutes) was highest in 38 patients while only two patients had an analgesic effect for 120 minutes. Only one patient reported to have respiratory depression while one had nausea. Post-operative ventilator was required for one patient. Conclusion: Nalbuphine can be considered as an ideal analgesic considering its efficiency in maintaining hemodynamic stability and effect of analgesia for long-duration surgeries. The side-effect profile of nalbuphine was favorable making it an ideal component for balanced anesthesia.