BACKGROUNDDuring emergence of general anaesthesia, hypertension and tachycardia caused by tracheal extubation may lead to serious complications during craniotomies. This study was designed to assess the effect of magnesium sulphate on these cardiovascular responses during extubation following craniotomies under general anaesthesia.

Background: Dexmedetomidine an α2 agonist reduces heart rate and blood pressure due to sympatholytic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on haemodynamic response during endotracheal extubation in patients undergoing craniotomies for intracranial space occupying lesion (ICSOL).Methods: Sixty patients of ASA grade I and II, age 18-50 years scheduled for craniotomy for nonvascular ICSOL were selected after randomization into 2 groups with 30 patients in each group. Group D and C received an IV infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 mg/kg and normal saline 100 ml respectively over 10 min at the time of skin closure in a double-blind manner. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded just before drug administration, 3 and 5 minutes after drug administration, during extubation and at 3, 5, 10 and 15 minutes after extubation. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were analyzed at 3, 5, 10 and15 minutes after extubation. Any laryngospasm, bronchospasm, desaturation, respiratory depression, vomiting, hypotension and bradycardia was noted.Results: Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased during emergence time in both groups (p<0.05) but this increase was more significant in control group than group D. SBP and heart rate were significantly lower in group D from 3 minutes after drug administration to 15 minutes after extubation. DBP was lower in group D during extubation till 15 minutes after extubation (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the respect of adverse events between the groups.Conclusions: Intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.5 mg/kg before extubation is attenuates haemodynamic response during endotracheal extubation in craniotomies.

Background: Spinal anesthetic techniques are relatively safe and associated with quick and uneventful recovery, but post-operative pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are major concerns after the effect weans off. Steroids by virtue of their anti-inflammatory effect are expected to reduce pain as well as PONV. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two different doses of intravenous dexamethasone on blood glucose concentration intra-operatively and on post-operative analgesia and emesis for different surgeries under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical study was performed on 120 patients aged 20–60 year posted for surgery under spinal anesthesia who were randomly allocated into three groups to receive either normal saline (Group A: 40 pts), intravenous 4 mg dexamethasone (Group B: 40 pts), or iv 8 mg dexamethasone (Group C: 40 pts) immediately after spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters, respiratory rate, intraoperative blood glucose concentration., severity of post-operative pain, and incidence of PONV was compared among the groups. Results: Patients in Group C had significantly less severe post-operative pain and incidence of PONV (P<0.05). Furthermore, less post-operative rescue analgesia was required in Group C (P<0.05). There was a highly significant rise in intraoperative blood glucose level in Group C as compared to other groups, but it was well below the recommended guidelines (<180 mg/dL). Conclusion: Our study concluded that i.v. dexamethasone 8 mg was more effective, although it caused raised blood glucose concentration intraoperatively, but it also provided prolonged post-operative analgesia, increased time of first rescue analgesic, less incident of post-operative nausea and vomiting, and better patient satisfaction.

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