A randomized controlled double-blinded prospective study of the efficacy of low dose of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to intrathecal Bupivacaine in hysterectomies

Abstract

Background: Hysterectomies are the surgeries which are associated with visceral and somatic pain. To prolong sensory block and get good perioperative analgesia, various adjuvants are under trial. Aims & Objective: To study the effects of low dose of intrathecal Dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to Bupivacaine in hysterectomies. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized double blind control study. Sixty patients were randomly allocated into two group to receive intrathecal either 3.5 ml of 0.5 % hyperbaric Bupivacaine + 0 .5 ml normal saline in Group I, or 3.5 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine + 0.5ml of 5 µg Dexmedetomidine in Group II. Demographic data, haemodynamic, onset and duration of sensory and motor block and other side effects were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done by using f test and t test in data analysis add in package of the Microsoft Excel. Results: Two groups were comparable with respect to demographic data. Onset of sensory block at T10 level was comparable in both groups. However the onset of motor block was found early in Group II (P value 0.006). There was significant prolongation of duration of sensory and motor block found in group II. For sensory block (P value: 0.0018 × 10-8) and motor block (P value: 0.002 × 10-6). Haemodynamic, nausea, vomiting, shivering data findings were comparable. There was significant sedation found in Group II (P value: 0.0047 × 10 8). Conclusion: Low dose of intrathecal Dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of sensory and motor block with the significant sedation level.