Comparative study between Intravenous and Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine in Spinal Anaesthesia in Patients undergoing Elective Infra-Umbilical Surgery: the Effect on Haemodynamic Parameters and Postoperative Analgesia

Abstract

ne of the main objectives of anesthesia is to alleviate the patient’s pain and agony, by ensuring the performance of surgical procedures without any discomfort. Elimination of postoperative pain is indispensable due to the central, peripheral and immunological stress response to tissue injury. So there is a need for extended analgesia without any side effects to achieve this goal. The use of opioids in intrathecal or epidural anesthesia has become common to increase postoperative analgesia. However, opioid-induced side effects, such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention and pruritus, limit their use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous versus intravenous dexmedetomidine with subarachnoid anaesthesia in patients undergoing elective infra-umbilical surgery. The duration of analgesia and effect on haemodynamic parameters were evaluated. Moreover, undesirable side effects along with the effect on Ramsay sedation score were studied. Hundred patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups (50 patients): group (A) and group (B). • Group (A) received 3 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% plus 0.5 ml of normal saline (Total volume: 3.5 ml) along with 1µg/kg intravenous dexmedetomidine 10 minutes before the blockade.