Effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on preventing shivering in cesarean section after spinal anesthesia: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Esketamine Combined with Dexmedetomidine to reduce Visceral Pain During elective Cesarean Section Under Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia: A double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the effect of intravenous esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine as supplemental analgesia in reducing intraoperative visceral pain during elective cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA).

Patients and Methods

A total of 269 parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section under CSEA between May 2023 and August 2023 were assessed. The parturients were randomly allocated to receiving either intravenous infusion of 0.3-mg/kg esketamine combined with 0.5-μg/kg dexmedetomidine (group ED, n=76), 0.5-μg/kg dexmedetomidine (group D, n=76), or normal saline (group C, n=76) after umbilical cord clamping. The primary outcome was intraoperative visceral pain. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain evaluation and other intraoperative complications.

Results

The incidence of visceral pain was lower in group ED [9 (12.7%)] than in group D [32 (43.8%)] and group C [36 (48.6%), P <0.0001]. The VAS score was also lower in group ED when exploring abdominal cavity [0 (0), P <0.0001] and suturing the muscle layer [0 (0), P =0.036]. The mean arterial pressure was higher in group D [83 (9) mmHg] and group ED [81 (11) mmHg] than in group C [75 (10) mmHg, P <0.0001] after solution infusion. The heart rate after infusion of the solution was lower in group D [80 (12) bpm] than in group C [86 (14) bpm] and group ED [85 (12) bpm, P = 0.016]. The incidence of transient neurologic or mental symptoms was higher in group ED compared to group C and group D (76.1% vs 18.9% vs 23.3%, P<0.0001).

Conclusion

During cesarean section, 0.3-mg/kg esketamine combined with 0.5-μg/kg dexmedetomidine can alleviate visceral traction pain and provide stable hemodynamics. Parturients receiving this regimen may experience transient neurologic or mental symptoms that can spontaneously resolve at the end of the surgery.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on pulmonary function in patients receiving one-lung ventilation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation, particularly one-lung ventilation (OLV), can cause pulmonary dysfunction. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of dexmedetomidine on the pulmonary function of patients receiving OLV.

METHODS

The Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry databases were systematically searched. The primary outcome was oxygenation index (OI). Other outcomes including the incidence of postoperative complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials involving 845 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Dexmedetomidine improved the OI at 30 (mean difference [MD]: 40.49, 95% CI [10.21, 70.78]), 60 (MD: 60.86, 95% CI [35.81, 85.92]), and 90 min (MD: 55, 95% CI [34.89, 75.11]) after OLV and after surgery (MD: 28.98, 95% CI [17.94, 40.0]) and improved lung compliance 90 min after OLV (MD: 3.62, 95% CI [1.7, 5.53]). Additionally, dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio: 0.44, 95% CI [0.24, 0.82]) and length of hospital stay (MD: -0.99, 95% CI [-1.25, -0.73]); decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and malondialdehyde levels; and increased superoxide dismutase levels. However, only the results for the OI and IL-6 levels were confirmed by the sensitivity and trial sequential analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine improves oxygenation in patients receiving OLV and may additionally decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications and shorten the length of hospital stay, which may be related to associated improvements in lung compliance, anti-inflammatory effects, and regulation of oxidative stress reactions. However, robust evidence is required to confirm these conclusions.

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to plain ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia during cesarean section: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial for ED50 determination using an up-down sequential allocation method

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine, as an adjuvant to local anesthetics, has been reported to improve the quality of spinal anesthesia and reduce the required local anesthetic dose. However, the optimal dosage regimen for intrathecal dexmedetomidine combined with plain ropivacaine for cesarean section (CS) remains undetermined. The present study aimed to determine the median effective dose (ED50) of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to plain ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia during CS.

METHODS

Sixty parturients undergoing CS were randomly assigned to either group: plain ropivacaine 8 mg (Group Rop8) or plain ropivacaine 10 mg (Group Rop10). The initial dosage of intrathecal dexmedetomidine in each group was 5 µg. The effective dose was defined as a bilateral sensory block at the level of T6 or above to pinprick attained within 10 min after intrathecal injection, without the need for supplementary intraoperative epidural anesthesia. Effective or ineffective responses were determined, followed by a 1 µg increment or decrement in the dose of intrathecal dexmedetomidine for the next parturient using up-down sequential allocation. ED50 were calculated using probit regression.

RESULTS

The ED50 of intrathecal dexmedetomidine with plain ropivacaine was 5.9 µg (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-7.4 µg) in Group Rop8 and 3.1 µg (95% CI, 0.1-4.8 µg) in Group Rop10 (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic stability, side effects, patient satisfaction and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggested that the ED50 of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 8 mg and 10 mg plain ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia during cesarean section was approximately 6 µg and 3 µg, respectively.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier: ChiCTR2200055928.

Inhalational Versus Propofol-based Intravenous Maintenance of Anesthesia for Emergence Delirium in Adults: A Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Emergence delirium (ED) is a severe postoperative complication that increases the risk for injury, self-extubation, and hemorrhage. Inhalational maintenance of anesthesia is a risk factor for ED in pediatric patients, but its impact in adults is undefined. This meta-analysis compares the incidence of ED between inhalational and propofol-based intravenous maintenance of anesthesia. Following a search of the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, 12 high-quality randomized controlled trials including 1440 patients, were identified for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Compared with propofol-based intravenous maintenance of anesthesia, inhalational maintenance increased the incidence of ED in adults (risk ratio [RR], 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-3.14; P =0.002). This was confirmed by sensitivity analysis, trial sequential analysis, and subgroup analyses of studies that assessed ED via Aono's four-point scale (RR, 3.72; 95% CI: 1.48-9.31; P =0.005) and the Ricker Sedation Agitation Scale (RR, 3.48; 95% CI: 1.66-7.32; P =0.001), studies that included sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia (RR, 1.87; 95% CI: 1.13-3.09; P =0.02), studies that reported ED as the primary outcome (RR, 2.73; 95% CI: 1.53-4.86; P =0.0007), and studies that investigated ocular (RR, 2.98; 95% CI: 1.10-8.10; P =0.03), nasal (RR; 95% CI: 1.27-6.50; P =0.01), and abdominal (RR, 3.25; 95% CI: 1.12-9.40; P =0.03) surgeries, but not intracranial surgery (RR, 0.72; 95% CI: 0.34-1.54; P =0.40). In summary, inhalational maintenance of sevoflurane was a risk factor for ED compared with propofol-based intravenous maintenance in adults who underwent ocular, nasal, and abdominal surgeries but not intracranial surgery.

Effect of Epidural Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Local Anesthetics for Labor Analgesia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

This study aims to determine the analgesic effect and safety of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to epidural local anesthetics during labor.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials comparing epidural blocks with or without dexmedetomidine for labor analgesia were comprehensively searched. Review manager 5.4 was used to analyze the extracted data.

Results

Compared with placebo and opioids, dexmedetomidine relieved labor pain of 15 min (P=0.002), 30 min (P=0.01), and 120 min (P=0.02) after block and at the moment of fetal disengagement (P=0.0002), decreased mean arterial pressure of 120 min (P=0.01), heart rate of 30 min (P=0.003), 60 min (P < 0.00001), and 120 min (P < 0.00001) after block, blood loss (P=0.02), and the incidence of nausea/vomiting (P=0.006), and increased the incidence of maternal bradycardia (P=0.04). However, sensitivity analysis only found that the incidence of nausea/vomiting was significantly different. Compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine relieved labor pain of 30 min after block (P < 0.00001) and did not increase the incidences of side effects, but only two studies were enrolled. Compared with opioids, dexmedetomidine decreased the incidence of nausea/vomiting (P=0.002), increased the incidence of maternal bradycardia (P=0.04), and had a similar effect on labor pain relief; however, sensitivity analysis found that significant difference existed only at the incidence of nausea/vomiting. Other outcomes from meta-analysis or subgroup analysis were not different.

Conclusions

Epidural dexmedetomidine has the potential to offer a better analgesic effect than placebo, similar labor pain control to opioids, and has no definite adverse effects on the parturient or fetus, but more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Comparing the Effects of Low Dose of Ketamine, Tramadol, and Ondansetron in Prevention of Post Spinal Anesthesia Shivering in Cesarean Section

Background

Shivering frequently occurs in cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia (SA), resulting in several complications. To date, pethidine has been considered as the gold standard for post-SA shivering control, but it is contraindicated in breastfeeding women.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind study was conducted at Alzahra hospital in Guilan, Iran, From January 2019 to November 2020. A total of 508 eligible term parturient women were enrolled and randomly divided into four groups of low dose ketamine (K), tramadol (T), ondansetron (O), and placebo (P). The incidence and severity of shivering and patients' complications were recorded and compared among the groups.

Results

The patients were homogenous in terms of demographic variables. Shivering was witnessed in 68 (53.5%), 26 (20.5%), 75 (59.1%), and 82 (64.6%) patients in K, T, O, and P groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). Regarding shivering severity, there was a significant difference among the four groups (P = 0.0001). In addition, a significant difference was seen regarding Apgar scores at the first minute, but not at the fifth minute (P = 0.168).

Conclusions

Considering the high incidence of shivering in placebo group, prophylactic intervention in CS under SA seems to be necessary. Among the studied drugs, tramadol was the most effective one, followed by a low dose of ketamine and ondansetron.

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine improves epidural labor analgesia effects: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

α2‑agonists and opioids have been used as intrathecal adjuvants to local anesthetics for several years, but the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine (Dex) or sufentanil combined with epidural ropivacaine in labor analgesia is not fully understood.

METHODS

A total of 108 parturient women receiving combined spinal-epidural labor analgesia were randomly divided into three groups. Group C received l mL saline (0.9%) intrathecally, Group D received 5 µg Dex intrathecally, and Group S received 5 µg sufentanil intrathecally. All parturient women then received 0.1% epidural ropivacaine and 0.2 µg/mL sufentanil for patient-controlled epidural analgesia with standard settings. The visual analog scale score, onset time, duration of intrathecal injection, local anesthetic requirements, and side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

The labor analgesia effects in Groups D and S were better than those in Group C. Groups D and S displayed significantly shorter onset times, longer durations of intrathecal injection, and reduced local anesthetic requirements compared with Group C. The incidence of shivering and pruritus in Group D was lower than that in Group S.

CONCLUSION

Intrathecal administration of 5 µg Dex could improve epidural labor analgesia effects.This randomized controlled clinical trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Registry Center (ChiCTR-1800014943, http://www.chictr.org.cn/).

The effect of 1-mg versus 3-mg granisetron on shivering and nausea in cesarean section: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind, clinical trial

Introduction

Intra- and postoperative nausea, vomiting and shivering are mentioned as the most common problem following spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare two different doses of granisetron to control the shivering, nausea, and vomiting caused by spinal anesthesia in women undergoing cesarean section (C/S).

Method

This study is a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial. The participants received 1-mg or 3-mg granisetron. Women who underwent elective C/S were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status grade I or II and age range of 18–40 years. Primary outcome was changes in the score of shivering, and nausea and vomiting. Secondary outcomes were Apgar score, mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, temperature and heart rate.

Results

According to binary logistic regression, the incidence of shivering (6.9% vs. 1.5%; p-value = 0.049), and nausea and vomiting (19.2% vs. 9.2%; p-value = 0.024) was significantly higher in patients received 1-mg granisetron in comparison with 3-mg granisetron. Multinomial logistic regression showed that the occurrence of shivering, and nausea and vomiting were not associated with the dose of granisetron. There was no significant difference between the age and Apgar score of 1 (p = 0.908) and 5 (p = 0.843) minute(s) between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that although 3-mg of granisetron reduces the incidence of intra- and postoperative shivering, nausea and vomiting after spinal anesthesia in comparison with 1-mg of granisetron, the difference was not statistically significant.

Onion extract gel is not better than other topical treatments in scar management: A meta-analysis from randomised controlled trails

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of onion extract (OE) gel on scar management, a systematic review was performed by searching Embase, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library databases, and a meta-analysis was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Finally, 13 randomised controlled trails were enrolled for meta-analysis. OE gel increased the total improvement scores assessed by investigators (P < .00001) and patients (P < .00001) than no treatment, but no differences were detected between OE gel and other commonly used topical treatments assessed by investigators (P = .56) and patients (P = .39). Moreover, OE in silicone gel increased the total improvement scores assessed by investigators (P < .00001) and patients (P = .0007) than other treatments. OE gel increased the incidence of total adverse effects compared with no treatment (P < .0001) and other treatments (P = .008) by a fixed-effects model, and increased the incidence of dropping out caused by intolerance of treatments (P = .0002). OE gel not only has no superiority to commonly used topical treatments, but also has the potential to increase the incidence of adverse effects on scar management; OE in silicone gel might be the optimal topical choice for scar treatment; however, more evidences are needed to strength these conclusions.

The efficacy and safety of intrathecal dexmedetomidine for parturients undergoing cesarean section: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of spinal anesthesia by intrathecal dexmedetomidine (DEX) for parturients undergoing cesarean section are still lack of evidence. This aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal DEX for parturients undergoing cesarean section to provide more data evidence for intrathecal applications.

METHODS

Three hundred parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned into three groups: group B: 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of 0.75% bupivacaine with saline (1 ml); group FB: 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of 0.75% bupivacaine with 20 μg of fentanyl (1 ml); group DB: 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of 0.75% bupivacaine with 5 μg of DEX (1 ml). Intraoperative block characteristics, parturients' postoperative quality of recovery, maternal and neonatal outcomes and the plasma concentration of DEX were measured. All parturients were followed up for 30 days to determine whether nerve injury occurred.

RESULTS

Compared with group B, the duration of sensory block in group FB and group DB were significantly prolonged (108.4 min [95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 104.6-112.3] in group B, and 122.0 min [95% CI = 116.8-127.3] in group FB, 148.2 min [95% CI = 145.3-151.1] in group DB). The overall score of quality recovery in group DB (71.6 [95% CI = 71.0-72.2]) was significantly higher than that in group FB (61.5 [95% CI = 60.8-62.2]) and group B (61.7 [95% CI = 61.0-62.4]). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups for PH, PaO₂, and PaCO₂ of newborn. The plasma concentration of DEX in umbilical artery and umbilical vein was low and cannot be detected. The 30-days follow-up of parturients did not show any new onset of back, buttock or leg pain or paresthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX is a potential local anesthetic adjuvant that the intrathecal combination of 5 μg DEX can safely exhibit a facilitatory block effect and improve parturients' recovery quality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number # ChiCTR1900022019 ; Date of Registration on March 20th, 2019).

Effect of 5-μg Dose of Dexmedetomidine in Combination With Intrathecal Bupivacaine on Spinal Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been used to improve the quality and duration of spinal anesthesia. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate whether intrathecal DEX could prolong the duration of sensory and motor block during spinal anesthesia.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials that investigated the facilitatory effects of intrathecal administration of DEX compared with those of a placebo on spinal anesthesia from inception to April 2019. Sensory and motor block durations, sensory and motor block onset times, time to first analgesic request, and DEX-related adverse effects were evaluated. Results were combined using fixed-effects or random effects modeling when appropriate.

FINDINGS

A total of 1478 patients from 25 clinical studies were included in the analysis. Compared with placebo, intrathecal DEX significantly prolonged the durations of both sensory block (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 134.42 min; 95% CI, 109.71-159.13 min; P < 0.001) and motor block (WMD = 114.27 min; 95% CI, 93.18-135.35 min; P < 0.001). It also hastened the onset of sensory block (WMD = -0.80 min; 95% CI, -1.21 to -0.40; P < 0.001) and motor block (WMD = -1.03 min; 95% CI, -1.51 to -0.56 min; P < 0.001). Furthermore, it delayed the time to first analgesic request (WMD = 216.90 min; 95% CI, 178.90-254.90 min; P < 0.001) and reduced the incidence of shivering (risk ratio [RR] = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.27-0.55; P < 0.001). DEX was associated with increased risk of transient bradycardia (RR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.07-2.37; P = 0.022) and hypotension (RR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.89; P = 0.026) but did not increase the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.62-1.24; P = 0.45).

IMPLICATIONS

Intrathecal DEX can prolong the duration of sensory block, the duration of motor block, and the time to first analgesic request associated with spinal anesthesia.

Effect of Different Doses of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant Combined With Hyperbaric Ropivacaine in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section

Objective

In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

Methods

Seventy-five parturients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II were anesthetized with intrathecal ropivacaine (12.5 mg) alone (R group) or in combination with dexmedetomidine 3 μg (RD3 group) and 5 μg (RD5 group) to undergo a cesarean section. The anesthetic parameters, postoperative analgesia, stress responses and neonates outcomes were monitored.

Results

The onset time of sensory block to T10, T4, and peak level in the RD3 group and RD5 group were significantly shorter than those in the R group (p < 0.05). The time of the level of sensory block to descend two segments and to T10 in the RD3 group(57.28 ± 16.65 min, 3.87 ± 1.60 h) and RD5 group (71.92 ± 10.10 min, 3.99 ± 1.06 h) were longer than that in the R group (40.64 ± 12.06 min, 1.98 ± 1.01 h) (p < 0.05). The median time of motor blockade to both legs score 3 on the Bromage scale (B3B3) in the RD3 group and RD5 group was shorter than that in the R group (p < 0.001). The time of motor blockade recovery to both legs score 0 on the Bromage scale (B0B0) in the RD5 group (3.6 h) was longer than that in the R group (2 h) or RD3 group (2.2 h) (p < 0.001). Visceral traction response and abdominal muscle relaxation during the operation in the RD3 group and the RD5 group were better than that in the R group. The Visual Analogue Score (VAS) in the 12 h after the operation in the RD3 group (3.30 ± 1.17) and RD5 group (2.80 ± 0.87) was smaller than that in the R group (3.80 ± 1.47) (p < 0.05). The incidence of shivering in the RD3 group and RD5 group was significantly lower than that in the R group (p < 0.05). The postoperative concentrations of c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol in the RD3 and RD5 groups were lower than that in the R group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

3 µg intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine improved intraoperative somato-visceral sensory block characteristics and postoperative analgesia, alleviated shivering in parturients, and did not prolong the time of motor block or produce any side effects, which makes this dose appropriate for cesarean delivery.

Cinical Trial Registration

ChiCTR, identifier ChiCTR1800014454. Registered 15 January 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=24613&htm=4