BACKGROUND: This prospective randomized double blind study was conducted to evaluate the effect and safety of intrathecal dexmedetomidine added to isobaric ropivacaine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 adult female patients, who underwent vaginal hysterectomies, 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). Following intrathecal administration, duration of onset of sensory and motor blockade, maximum dermatomal level achieved, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic parameters and incidence of side effects were observed. RESULTS: Duration of onset of sensory block upto T10, T8 and the highest level of block achieved i. e. T6 were similar in both the groups. The mean time of sensory regression to S2 was 297.71±34.11 min in group D and 221.35±22.70 min in group R. Time to achieve Bromage score 0 was significantly slower with the addition of dexmedetomidine (229.37±28.74 min in group R vs. 258.55±30.46 min in group D). Duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly greater in group D (270.00±38.75 min) as compared to group R (174.77±22.31 min). The maximum VAS score for pain was less in group D (4.42±0.69) as compared to group R (7.03±0.78). There were no significant difference in hemodynamic parameters and incidence of side effects in both the groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine intrathecally produces significantly longer sensory and motor blockade along with better postoperative analgesia, and excellent hemodynamic stability without any significant side effects.

Background:The i-gel is a novel supraglottic airway device with a soft and non-inflatable cuff. In our study we attempted to evaluate the performance of i-gel as a ventilatory device, as a conduit to blind tracheal intubation using conventional polyvinyl chloride tracheal tube and gastric tube insertion through it.Materials and Methods:A total of 180 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I/II undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. After induction of anesthesia, i-gel was inserted and the following parameters were recorded: Time taken for successful i-gel insertion, airway leak pressures, ease of gastric tube insertion and laryngeal view using fiberscope. Following this blind tracheal intubation was attempted. First attempt and overall success rate in blind tracheal intubation and gastric tube insertion were evaluated and tracheal intubation time was measured. Also presence of any side effects or complication following removal was recorded.Results:We achieved a 100% success rate in insertion of i-gel and in 171 out of 180 patients; i-gel was inserted in the 1st attempt itself. We also were able to achieve an overall success rate for blind endotracheal intubation via i-gel in 78.33% cases, and successful gastric tube placement was possible in 92.22%. In our study we also achieved a leak pressure of 25.52 (±2.33) cm of H2O.Conclusion:I-gel may be effectively used for ventilation, nasogastric tube insertion and as a conduit to blind endotracheal intubation with minimal complication and acceptable airway sealing pressures.

Background:Limited evidence supports the efficacy of peripheral route fentanyl and local anesthetic combination for postoperative analgesia. Our study was therefore designed to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of two different doses of fentanyl in combination with bupivacaine for surgical site infiltration in patients undergoing modified radical mastoidectomy (MRM).Materials and Methods:60 patients undergoing MRM under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups, first group receiving 0.5% bupivacaine at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight with 50 μg fentanyl and second group receiving bupivacaine 0.5% at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight with 100 μg fentanyl as infiltration of operative field in and around the incision site, after the incision and just before completion of surgery. In postoperative period pain, nausea-vomiting and sedation was recorded at 0 hr, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hrs.Results:Both the combinations of bupivacaine and fentanyl (Group I and Group II) were effective for postoperative analgesia. In both the groups the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was less than 3 at each time interval. None of the patients required rescue analgesia. The comparison of VAS scores at different intervals showed that group II had lower VAS scores at all time points.Conclusions:Fentanyl and bupivacaine combinations in doses of 50 and 100 μg along with 0.5% bupivacaine at a fixed dose of 2 mg/kg body weight are effective in the management of postoperative pain. Patients who received 100 μg fentanyl (Group II) had lower VAS scores as compared to the patients who received 50 μg fentanyl (Group I) with similar side effects.

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