Comparative evaluation of intrathecal morphine and intrathecal dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing gynaecological surgeries under spinal anaesthesia: A prospective randomised double blind study

The effect of adding dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone to bupivacaine-fentanyl mixture in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section

Background and Aims

Many strategies are available to prevent spinal-induced hypotension in cesarean section, especially the use of a low dose of spinal anesthesia combined with adjuvants. This study investigated the effect of adding either dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone to the intrathecal bupivacaine-fentanyl mixture on the postoperative analgesia duration, after elective cesarean section.

Material and Methods

This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 90 full-term parturients undergoing elective cesarean section, who were randomly distributed into three groups. They all received spinal anesthesia with the bupivacaine-fentanyl mixture (2.5 ml), in addition to 0.5 ml normal saline (control group), 5 μg dexmedetomidine dissolved in 0.5 ml normal saline (dexmedetomidine group), or 2 mg dexamethasone (dexamethasone group). The time to the first request of morphine rescue analgesia was recorded, in addition to the total dose of morphine consumed in the first 24 h after surgery, the postoperative numerical rating score (NRS), and maternal and fetal outcomes.

Results

As compared to the control group and the dexamethasone group, the use of dexmedetomidine as an additive to the bupivacaine-fentanyl mixture significantly prolonged the time to the first request of rescue analgesia, decreased postoperative morphine consumption, and decreased the pain score 4 and 6 h after surgery. There was an insignificant difference between the control and dexamethasone groups.

Conclusion

The use of dexmedetomidine as an additive to bupivacaine-fentanyl mixture in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section prolonged the postoperative analgesia and decreased the postoperative opioid consumption in comparison to the addition of dexamethasone or normal saline.

Intraoperative administration of systemic/epidural/intrathecal morphine on the quality of recovery following substitutional urethroplasty with buccal mucosal graft: A randomized control trial

Background and Aims

Substitutional urethroplasty with buccal mucosal grafting for urethral stricture is associated with significant pain, and thus inappropriate perioperative pain management could delay postoperative recovery. The objective of our research was to determine the effects of analgesia with systemic or epidural or intrathecal morphine on quality of recovery (QoR) in patients undergoing substitutional urethroplasty with buccal mucosal grafting.

Material and Methods

This prospective, double-blinded, randomized control trial was conducted over 2 years in ASA I and II patients who underwent substitutional urethroplasty with buccal mucosal graft. Patients were randomized into three groups, and Group A received systemic morphine (0.1 mg/kg), Group B received epidural morphine (3 mg), and Group C received intrathecal morphine (150 μg). The QoR between the groups were compared postoperatively using the 40-item QoR questionnaire, and the hemodynamic variations, time taken for ambulation, resumption of oral intake, and incidence of complications were also compared.

Results

Out of the recruited 93 patients, 88 patients were analyzed. The QoR score for each domain was comparable between the three groups. The total QoR score for systemic, epidural, and intrathecal morphine groups were 189 (185-191), 189 (187-191), and 185 (183-189), respectively. Additionally, the hemodynamic variations, time taken for ambulation, and resumption of oral intake were comparable between all three groups except the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pruritis, which were higher in the intrathecal group.

Conclusion

All three modalities, namely systemic morphine (0.1 mg/kg), epidural morphine (3 mg), and intrathecal morphine (150 μg), offer similar QoR after substitutional urethroplasty. However, the incidence of PONV and pruritis was higher with the administration of intrathecal morphine.

Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine Combined With Ropivacaine in Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study

Objective

This study aimed to find the best dose of dexmedetomidine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

Methods

120 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I and II parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into four groups treated with intrathecal ropivacaine (12 mg) alone (Group R) or in combination with dexmedetomidine 5 μg (Group RD1), 7.5 μg (Group RD2) and 10 μg (Group RD3). Characteristics of spinal anesthesia, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects, stress reactions and neonatal outcomes were recorded in the four groups.

Results

Patients in Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 had significantly longer sustained sensory and motor block time than patients in Group R. All four groups had comparable onset times of sensory and motor block. The time for the level of sensory block to lower to S1 was longer in Group RD1 (411.07 ± 106.66 min), Group RD2 (397.03 ± 125.39 min) and Group RD3 (468.63 ± 116.43 min) than in Group R (273.60 ± 88.34 min) (p < 0.001). The time to recover from motor block to a Bromage score of IV was longer in Group RD1 (353.60.07 ± 137.28 min), Group RD2 (350.57 ± 118.01 min) and Group RD3 (404.67 ± 112.83 min) than in Group R (232.70 ± 93.29) (p < 0.01). The incidence of chills was significantly lower in the Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 than in the Group R (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, hypoxemia and pruritus in the four groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant visceral traction response or fentanyl use in the four groups (p > 0.05). Phenylephrine dosing was significantly higher in Group RD2 and RD3 than in Group R (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in phenylephrine dosing between Group RD1 and Group R (p > 0.05). There were no statistical differences in postnatal Apgar scores (1 min, 5 min after birth) (p > 0.05). The postoperative concentrations of β-endorphin (β-EP), cortisol (Cor) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 were lower than that in Group R (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Intrathecal 5μg of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine relieved intraoperative chills, did not increase intraoperative and postoperative adverse effects, did not increase the amount of intraoperative vasoconstrictor used, and reduced intraoperative stress reactions as well as prolonged the duration of maternal sensory and motor block, so this dose is appropriate for cesarean section.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2200056052].

A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% with Morphine and Dexmedetomidine in Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgeries: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Pain and its alleviation have been a challenge for humans for centuries. Sub arachnoid block is most commonly practiced method for anaesthesia for lower limb surgeries. Adjuvants like opioids and alpha 2 agonists have proven benefits in augmentation of effects of local anaesthetics for spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of morphine and dexmedetomidine for sub arachnoid block in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.

Material and Methods

This is a prospective randomised controlled trial done in 120 patients who were posted for lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Along with bupivacaine, Group A received intrathecal dexmedetomidine while group B received intrathecal morphine.

Results

the demographic profile was comparable in both the groups. The mean duration of motor block in Group A was 359.33 ± 34.4 and in Group B was 265.71 ± 28.47. The duration of rescue analgesia was almost double in Group A as compared to Group B with P < 0.0001 (CL 95%).

Conclusion

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine and morphine both provided good postoperative analgesia. Dexmedetomidine provided a longer duration of analgesia than morphine, thereby increasing the time for first rescue analgesia, but at the cost of greater side effects.

Comparison of morphine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to isobaric levobupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy

Introduction:

Various adjuvants to local anesthetics are used in spinal anesthesia for improving the quality and prolonging postoperative analgesia. We aim to compare the analgesic efficacy of morphine or dexmedetomidine given intrathecally as adjuvants to isobaric levobupivacaine.

Materials and Methods:

Seventy patients of age group 18–60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists 1 and 2 undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy, were randomized into two groups. Group M received spinal anesthesia with 3 mL of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with 250 μg of preservative-free morphine. Group D received 3 mL of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with 5 μg of dexmedetomidine. Quality of anesthesia, sensory and motor block characteristics, duration of effective analgesia, and incidence of side effects were compared.

Results:

The time for the first analgesic request was 320.80 ± 41.75 min in the dexmedetomidine group as compared to the morphine group (451.63 ± 38.55 min), P = 0.000. The analgesic requirement in the first 24 h was significantly higher in Group D as compared to Group M, P = 0.000. Adverse effects were similar in both the groups, except pruritus which was seen only in Group M.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that the use of intrathecal morphine as an adjuvant to isobaric levobupivacaine provides better analgesia than intrathecal dexmedetomidine; however, adverse effects such as nausea and pruritus may be seen.

Comparison of transversus abdominis plane block and intrathecal morphine for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: Randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims:

Postoperative pain following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is significant and no suitable analgesic technique is described. Opioid analgesia in standard doses is often suboptimal and associated with numerous adverse effects. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been evaluated in various laparoscopic procedures. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been seen to provide long-lasting analgesia of superior quality in laparoscopic colorectal procedures.

Methods:

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of single-dose ITM 5 μg/kg for LDN. After ethics approval, 60 adult patients scheduled for LDN were randomised to receive intravenous fentanyl, ultrasound-guided TAP block or ITM for postoperative analgesia. Postoperative 24-h patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) fentanyl consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) score and intraoperative fentanyl and muscle relaxant requirements were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate statistical tests by using Stata 11.1 software.

Results:

Haemodynamic stability at pneumoperitoneum and in the post anaesthesia care unit was significantly better in patients receiving ITM. Intraoperative rescue fentanyl requirement (P = 0.01) and postoperative fentanyl requirement until 24 h (P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the morphine group. Postoperative VAS at rest and on movement was significantly lower in the morphine group at all points of assessment (P = 0.000).

Conclusion:

ITM 5 μg/kg provides better intraoperative and postoperative analgesia and reduces postoperative PCA fentanyl requirement in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy compared to TAP block or intravenous fentanyl.

Comparison of the ED50 of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine co-administered with or without intrathecal dexmedetomidine for cesarean section: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized dose-response trial using up-down sequential allocation method

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Studies have showed that intrathecal dexmedetomidine as supplements to local anesthetics can improve the quality of the spinal anesthesia and reduce the local anesthetic requirement of spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. However, the magnitude of this effect has not been fully quantified. Therefore, we conducted the present study to investigate the ED₅₀ of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine with or without dexmedetomidine for cesarean section in healthy parturients. ED₅₀ values obtained were compared to estimate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus placebo on ropivacaine requirement.

DESIGN

Single-blinded, prospective, randomized study.

SETTING

Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

PATIENTS

Sixty healthy parturients under elective cesarean section with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were randomized into Group C (intrathecal ropivacaine alone) and Group D (intrathecal ropivacaine + 5 μg dexmedetomidine).

INTERVENTIONS

The dose of intrathecal ropivacaine for the first parturient in both groups was 11 mg. An increment or decrement of 0.5 mg intrathecal ropivacaine was made for the subsequent parturient based on the effective or ineffective response of the previous parturient. Effective dose was defined as a bilateral T6 or above sensory block level was achieved within 15 min after induce of spinal anesthesia and no additional epidural anesthetics was required during surgery. The Dixon and Massay sequential method and Probit regression were applied to calculate the ED₅₀ of intrathecal ropivacaine in both groups.

MEASUREMENTS

Characteristics of spinal anesthesia and side effects were recorded.

MAIN RESULTS

The ED₅₀ of hyperbaric ropivacaine calculated by Dixon and Massay formula was 11.4 mg (95% CI, 11.1-11.7 mg) in Group C, and 9.4 mg (95% CI, 9.0-9.7 mg) in Group D (P < 0.05). While using the Probit regression, the ED₅₀ of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine was 11.1 mg (95% CI, 10.7-11.6 mg) in Group C, and 9.1 mg (95% CI, 8.6-9.5 mg) in Group D. Shivering was less observed in Group D than in Group C (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the onset time of sensory block or motor block, the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, nausea and vomiting, sedation and pruritus between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Under the conditions of the present study, intrathecal dexmedetomidine (5 μg) reduced the ED₅₀ of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine by approximately 18% for cesarean section in healthy parturients under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.

Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Lower Doses of Intrathecal Bupivacaine for Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgeries

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine, an α₂ adrenergic agonist, has been found to be a useful adjuvant to local anesthetics. It has been found to produce satisfactory block with lower doses of spinal bupivacaine.

AIM

The aim of this study is to compare the difference in spinal block characteristics and hemodynamic effects of 7, 8, and 9 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine combined with 5 μg dexmedetomidine and to find out the optimum dose that would provide satisfactory block and hemodynamic stability for lower limb orthopedic surgeries.

SETTINGS AND STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries were allocated to three groups of thirty each. Group A received 7 mg, Group B 8 mg and Group C 9 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine along with dexmedetomidine 5 μg. The spinal block characteristics, hemodynamic stability, and side effects were compared.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The quantitative variables were compared using ANOVA test and the qualitative variables using Chi-square test.

RESULTS

All three groups had satisfactory anesthesia and analgesia. The onset of analgesia was slower and peak sensory level lower in Group A. The onset of motor block, time to attain peak sensory levels, duration of analgesia, maximum pain scores, and requirement of rescue analgesics were comparable among groups. Duration of motor block and time of regression of sensory level were more in Group C. Hemodynamics and sedation scores were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine with lower doses of bupivacaine produces satisfactory anesthesia without hemodynamic instability. A dose of 7 mg bupivacaine with 5 μg dexmedetomidine may be sufficient for orthopedic surgeries.

Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine Alleviates Shivering during Cesarean Delivery under Spinal Anesthesia

Shivering associated with spinal anesthesia during Cesarean delivery is an uncomfortable experience for the parturient, which may also cause adverse effects. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we sought to evaluate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine, administered as an adjunct to hyperbaric bupivacaine for Cesarean delivery, on the incidence and severity of shivering associated with spinal anesthesia. Patients undergoing Cesarean delivery were randomly allocated to three groups of 30 patients each. Experimental treatments were added to hyperbaric bupivacaine as follows: Patients in group I (control) were administered isotonic saline. Patients in groups II and III received dexmedetomidine (2.5, 5 µg, respectively), mixed with isotonic saline. Shivering was observed in 11, 10 and 2 patients in groups I, II and III, respectively. The incidence of shivering in group III was significantly lower than that in groups I (p=0.005) and II (p=0.01). The severity of shivering was significantly different between the three groups (p=0.01). There were no significant inter-group differences with respect to mean arterial pressure and heart rate at any time point after administration of intrathecal local anesthesia (p>0.05). Intrathecal dexmedetomidine (5 µg) administered as an adjunct to hyperbaric bupivacaine during Cesarean delivery significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of shivering associated with spinal anesthesia.