Effects of Intravenous Lidocaine Versus Dexmedetomidine on Attenuation of Cough During Tracheal Extubation After Elective Surgery: A Comparative Double-Blind Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to compare the effects of intravenous lidocaine and dexmedetomidine in attenuating cough during tracheal extubation after elective surgery. Methods: Study conducted on 100 patients aged 18–65 years at Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology from August 2020 to July 2021. Patients with elective surgeries under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, age 18–65 years, both the sexes, American Society of Anesthesiologists, grade I and II were included in the study. Results: Both lidocaine and dexmedetomidine are equally effective in cough attenuation on tracheal extubation. The hemodynamic stability was much better with dexmedetomidine compared to lidocaine at all times. Lidocaine group patients were ready to discharge from post-anesthesia care unit statistically earlier than the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: Both lidocaine and dexmedetomidine are safe and reliable drugs which provide very effective attenuation of cough during tracheal extubation without any respiratory depressant effect.