The effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine on central neuraxial blockade

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal anesthesia is the gold standard for lower abdominal surgeries. Bupivacaine has 
proved to be an excellent local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia. Hyperbaric bupivacaine is suitable for 
operations of medium duration, and when early mobilization is desirable. Dexmedetomidine is a 
selective a2-receptor agonist is used to increase the quality and duration of sensory-motor block. The aim 
of the present study was to compare the duration of postoperative analgesia, the extent of motor and 
sensory block, adverse effects along with the haemodynamic changes between bupivacaine with 
dexmedetomidine. 
Material and Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in the Department of 
Anesthesiology and Critical Care, INHS Asvini, Mumbai from May 2017 to May 2019 for a period of 2 
years. 120 patients of ASA I and ASA II of either sex were divided into two groups. Group D received 
IV dexmedetomidine 0.5-1microgram/kg over 10 minutes before central neuraxial blockade and Group C 
received normal saline as a placebo before central neuraxial blockade. Postoperative pain was assessed 
using the visual analogue scale, Modified Bromage Scale was used to assess motor blockade, Ramsay 
Sedation Scale was used to assess the level of sedation. IBM SPSS version 22 was used for statistical 
analysis.