Background and Aims:Hypotension during propofol induction is a common problem. Perfusion index (PI), an indicator of systemic vascular resistance, is said to be predictive of hypotension following subarachnoid block. We hypothesised that PI can predict hypotension following propofol induction and a cut-off value beyond which hypotension is more common can be determined.Methods:Fifty adults belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status I/II undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled for this prospective, observational study. PI, heart rate, blood pressure (BP) and oxygen saturation were recorded every minute from baseline to 10 min following induction of anaesthesia with a titrated dose of propofol, and after endotracheal intubation. Hypotension was defined as fall in systolic BP (SBP) by >30% of baseline or mean arterial pressure (MAP) to <60 mm Hg. Severe hypotension (MAP of <55 mm Hg) was treated.Results:Within first 5-min after induction, the incidence of hypotension with SBP and MAP criteria was 30% and 42%, respectively, and that of severe hypotension, 22%. Baseline PI <1.05 predicted incidence of hypotension at 5 min with sensitivity 93%, specificity 71%, positive predictive value (PPV) 68% and negative predictive value (NPV) 98%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.816, 95% confidence interval (0.699–0.933), P < 0.001Conclusion:Perfusion index could predict hypotension following propofol induction, especially before endotracheal intubation, and had a very high negative predictive value.

Background and Aims:Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) is effective in reducing pain following thyroid surgeries. We studied the effect of dexmedetomidine on duration and quality of analgesia produced by BSCPB with 0.5% ropivacaine in patients undergoing thyroid surgeries.Methods:In this prospective double-blinded study, 60 adults undergoing thyroid surgeries were randomised into two equal groups to receive BSCPB, either with 20 ml 0.5% ropivacaine (Group A) or 20 ml 0.5% ropivacaine with 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine (Group B) after induction of anaesthesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess analgesia postoperatively at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h and patient satisfaction at 24 h. Haemodynamics were recorded peri-operatively. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann–Whitney U-test were applied for VAS and sedation scores. Unpaired t-test was applied for age, weight, duration of surgery and duration of post-operative analgesia.Results:There was significantly longer duration of analgesia in Group B (1696.2 ± 100.2 vs. 967.8 ± 81.6 min; P < 0.001) and higher patient satisfaction at 24 h (7 [7–9] vs. 5 [4–6]; P < 0.001). While VAS score for pain were similar up to 6 h, they were lower in Group B at 12 h (0 [0–1] vs. 2 [1–2]; P < 0.001) and 24 h (2 [2–2] vs. 5 [5–6]; P < 0.001). Haemodynamic stability and sedation scores were similar across the groups. There were no adverse events. However, pain during swallowing persisted in both the groups.Conclusion:Combination of 0.5% ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine for BSCPB provided significantly prolonged and better quality of postoperative analgesia and patient satisfaction than with 0.5% ropivacaine alone in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

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