Comparative analgesic efficacy of intravenous vs intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in subarachnoid block for below knee orthopaedic surgery

Background and Aims: Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are effective local anaesthetic drugs used in regional anaesthesia with low cardio-neurotoxicity profile than bupivacaine, but comparative studies are limited in children. So, we compared these two drugs intrathecally to study their efficacy and safety in school-age children. Methods: This study was carried out in 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists class I, II and III patients aged 6–12 years, of either sex undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries. After institutional ethical committee approval and written informed consent, the patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received isobaric levobupivacaine (0.5%, 0.3-0.4 mg/kg), whereas group B received isobaric ropivacaine (0.5%, 0.5 mg/kg) intrathecally. Fentanyl (0.2 μg/kg) was used as an adjuvant in both the groups. Onset, peak and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of post-operative analgesia, time for micturition, perioperative haemodynamic parameters and complications were compared. Results: Onset and peak of sensory and motor block were earlier in group A. Significantly longer duration of sensory and motor block was achieved in group A (251 ± 41 min, 201 ± 40 min) compared to group B (211 ± 21 min, 102 ± 16 min) ( P < 0.001). The time to first rescue analgesic was also significantly prolonged in group A (270 ± 39 min) compared to group B (233 ± 18 min) ( P < 0.001). Time to micturition was much early in group B (157 ± 27 min) compared to group A (225 ± 31 min) ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intrathecal isobaric levobupivacaine and ropivacaine with fentanyl produces effective surgical anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia without any adverse effects. Early regression of sensorimotor blockade makes ropivacaine better in comparison to levobupivacaine for short infra-umbilical surgeries in children.

“…To overcome this, adjuvants are added with LA drugs. [ 5 6 7 ] Fentanyl is a popular opioid adjuvant as it shortens the onset time and prolongs the duration of sensory block. [ 8 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of block characteristics of intrathecal isobaric levobupivacaine versus isobaric ropivacaine for infra-umbilical surgeries in school-age children: A prospective randomised double-blind study

Bhati

Kiran

Dhawan

et al. 2021

Comparison of intravenous dexmedetomidine versus ketamine–dexmedetomidine combination on spinal block characteristics in patients undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgery – A randomised clinical trial

Krishna,

Agarwal,

Khanuja

et al. 2024

Background and Aims: One major limitation of the spinal block remains the inability to extend the duration of the block intraoperatively unless planned before with spinal or epidural catheters and/or intrathecal additives. This study was designed to compare the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine versus low-dose ketamine–dexmedetomidine combination infusion on spinal anaesthesia in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries. Methods: This randomised study was conducted in 60 patients scheduled for unilateral lower limb surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were randomised into Group D (n = 30) (0.5 µg/kg of intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine bolus followed by maintenance infusion at 0.5 µg/kg/h) and Group LKD (n = 30) (IV bolus of 0.5 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine and 0.2 mg/kg of ketamine, followed by maintenance infusions of dexmedetomidine and ketamine at 0.5 µg/kg/h and 0.2 mg/kg/h, respectively). Ramsay Sedation Scale score of 3–4 was maintained. The t-test or the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters between groups. Results: The mean sacral segment 1 (S1) regression time was 390.3 [standard deviation (SD):84.38] [95% confidence interval (CI): 360.13, 420.53] versus 393.23 (SD: 93.01) (95% CI: 363.04, 423.43) min in Group D versus Group LKD respectively ((P = 0.701). The number of episodes of hypotension was significantly higher in Group D (19 patients) compared to Group LKD (nine patients) (P = 0.001). Pre- and postoperative stress markers (24 h) and the incidence of postoperative nausea and shivering were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). Tramadol requirement in the postoperative period was significantly less in Group LKD compared to Group D (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The duration of S1 regression was similar between group dexmedetomidine (Group D) and group low-dose ketamine and dexmedetomidine (Group LKD).

Dural sac cross-sectional area measured using ultrasound to modify the dosage of local anaesthetic in spinal anaesthesia for transurethral resection of prostate surgery: A prospective, double blind, randomised controlled study

Pula¹,

Gooty²,

Thakur³

et al. 2022

Background and Aims: The area of lumbar spinal canal decreases with age, and hence the level of sensory blockade is higher in the elderly after spinal injection. The present study optimised the dose of local anaesthetic in elderly patients based on the lumbar dural sac cross sectional area (DSCSA) determined using ultrasound. Methods: Sixty patients of age above 60 years undergoing transurethral resection of prostrate (TURP) surgery in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Patients were categorised into two groups of 30 each based on a computer-generated random number table. In the control group (C), 2 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was given and in the ultrasound group (U), the drug dose was modified according to DSCSA which was measured using the formula area = p (diameter/2) 2. Results The DSCSA and bupivacaine dosage were significantly lower in group U compared to control group (P = 0.0001). The maximal level of cephalad spread of sensory blockade was significantly lower in ultrasound group, than in control group (P = 0.002). The two-segment block regression time and motor recovery time was less in group U. Higher mean arterial pressure (105.8 ± 9.66 mmHg; P = 0.007), and a lower decrease from baseline (14.15 ± 7.55%; P = 0.041) was noted in group U after subarachnoid block. Conclusion The estimation of DSCSA is an effective parameter and can be used to modify the dose of local anaesthetic for subarachnoid block in elderly patients undergoing TURP surgery.