Dexmedetomidine as an intrathecal adjuvant for postoperative analgesia.

BACKGROUND

Spinal anaesthesia is the most common approach which is used for lower limb surgery. Dexmedetomidine is the recent drug which acts on α2-adrenergic receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to produce analgesic effects.

AIM

Efficacy and safety of intrathecal dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Randomised double blind trial.

METHODS

Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally either 3 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine + 0.5 ml normal saline (Group R) or 3 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine + 5 μg dexmedetomidine in 0.5 ml of normal saline (Group D).

RESULTS

The mean time of sensory regression to S2 was 468.3±36.78 minutes in group D and 239.33±16.8 minutes in group R. Duration of analgesia (time to requirement of first rescue analgesic) was significantly prolonged in group D (478.4±20.9 minutes) as compared to group R (241.67±21.67 minutes). The maximum visual analogue scale score for pain was less in group D (4.4±1.4) as compared to group R (6.8±2.2).

CONCLUSION

The addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine intrathecally produces a prolongation in the duration of the motor and sensory block.