Rapid and reliable smooth extubation - Comparison of fentanyl with dexmedetomidine: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Effects of Co-administration of Fentanyl and Nitroglycerin on Hemodynamic Responses During Intubation and Extubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of simultaneous administration of fentanyl and nitroglycerine on hemodynamic responses.

DESIGN

This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery.

METHODS

Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, fentanyl (F) was administered 5 minutes before intubation and extubation. In the other group, in addition to F, sublingual nitroglycerine spray was administered 2 minutes before intubation and extubation. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and heart rate were measured before, immediately after, and at 1, 3, and 5 minutes after both procedures.

FINDINGS

Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the group receiving fentanyl and nitroglycerine than in the group receiving fentanyl alone. In both groups, a reduction in hemodynamic variables was observed immediately after both procedures, up to 5 minutes later, but it was significantly reduced in the group receiving simultaneous administration of the two drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-administration of nitroglycerine and fentanyl significantly weakened the hemodynamic responses and reflexes induced by intubation and extubation during the anesthesia process. Preventing these unwanted complications can lead to safer anesthesia for susceptible patients.

Can low dose of intratracheal dexmedetomidine be used to attenuate peri-extubation cough? - A prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial

Background

Peri-extubation cough is an undesirable event during extubation, prevention of which has been studied with multiple drugs, amongst which intravenous dexmedetomidine has emerged as one of the favourable drugs. Intratracheal route is attractive because of its ease of administration, provided it avoids the hypotension and bradycardia that occurs during intravenous bolus administration. There is a paucity of data exploring the utility, doses, and adverse effect of intratracheal dexmedetomidine.

Methods

After obtaining ethical committee approval, 60 eligible, consenting adult patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia in a tertiary teaching hospital were recruited and randomised into three groups-DEX0.3, DEX0.5, and NS. The plan of general anesthesia was standardized. Half an hour prior to extubation, study drug was instilled intratracheally-dexmedetomidine 0.3 mic/kg, 0.5 mic/kg, and NS in groups DEX0.3, DEX0.5, and NS, respectively. 4-point cough score was used to assess extubation response. Hemodynamic response and time to Ramsay sedation score 3 was also recorded.

Results

Majority of patients in DEX0.3 (60%) and DEX0.5 (85%) group had no cough (cough score 0), while majority of the patients in the NS group (70%) had either mild or moderate cough (cough score 1, 2). Kruskal Wallis test followed by post-hoc pairwise comparison showed statistically significant difference in 4-point cough score between GroupDEX0.3 and GroupNS (P < 0.001) and between GroupDEX0.5 and GroupNS (P = 0.038). DEX0.5 group, compared to DEX0.3 group, had significantly higher time from reversal to extubation (P < 0.001) and time to achieve Ramsay sedation score of 3 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We conclude that both 0.3 mic/kg and 0.5 mic/kg of dexmedetomidine when given intratracheally are effective in preventing peri-extubation cough. Further, 0.3 mic/kg dexmedetomidine showed a better recovery profile compared to 0.5 mic/kg dexmedetomidine when administered intratracheally.

Surgical Field Quality in Trans-Nasal Endoscopic Surgeries Using Lignocaine Infusion and Dexmedetomidine Infusion. A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Trans-nasal endoscopic surgery (TNES) is a helpful diagnostic and therapeutic modality in otorhinolaryngology surgeries and requires controlled hypotension for better visualization of the surgical field. Recent literature shows evidence of intravenous Lignocaine infusion to produce the controlled hypotension. The study aims to assess and compare the effects of Lignocaine (LIG) and Dexmedetomidine (DEX) infusion with respect to surgical field quality. 101 Consenting adult patients undergoing elective TNES were double-blinded, randomly allocated in one of the two groups and received either DEX infusion of 0.5ug/kg/hr (n = 51) or LIG infusion of 1.5 mg/kg/h (n = 50) after a loading dose. Surgical field score (SVF) as the primary outcome and secondary outcomes such as variations in hemodynamic parameters, the requirement for rescue agents and total blood loss were recorded. Both the groups were comparable with respect to patient demographics, total duration of anesthesia and surgery. SVF scores were significantly better in the LIG group during the first 105 min of the surgery (p < 0.05). In response to intubation, hemodynamic parameters were lower in LIG group. The requirement of other adjuvant drugs, total blood loss (166.40 ml vs. 251.17 ml) and extubation time were also significantly lower in the LIG group. The study concludes that intravenous Lignocaine gives a better surgical field in the first 105 min of surgery, comparable hemodynamics and decreased blood loss in patients undergoing TNES as compared to Dexmedetomidine infusion. Hence its role as an agent for controlled hypotension during TNES surgery is promising.

Effectiveness and Safety of Extubation before Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade versus Traditional Technique in Providing Smooth Extubation

Background:

Traditional extubation often leads to bucking, coughing, and undesirable hemodynamic changes. Extubation just before administering reversal could reduce force of coughing, bucking and may provide better extubation conditions.

Aim of Study:

The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of bucking with extubation just before administering reversal of neuromuscular blockade compared to traditional technique of awake extubation. Incidence of coughing during extubation, vomiting/regurgitation, aspiration, hemodynamic changes, postoperative bleeding, and extubation conditions were also assessed.

Settings and Design:

This was a prospective randomized study conducted in a tertiary care institute.

Subjects and Methods:

Forty patients were allocated into two equal groups. In Group E, at the end of surgery, extubation was performed and reversal was administered after extubation. In Group L, reversal was given and patients were extubated in the traditional way. Quality of extubation was assessed using extubation quality score.

Statistical Tests Used:

Pearson Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and independent sample t-test.

Results:

Group E showed significantly lower incidence of bucking (15% vs. 65%) and coughing (10% vs. 45%). Incidences of desaturation and regurgitation/aspiration were comparable. In Group E, 85% of patients did not cough during extubation compared to 50% in Group L. Extubation quality was significantly better in Group E. Although extubation time was significantly shorter in Group E, recovery time was comparable in both groups.

Conclusion:

Extubation just before reversal of neuromuscular blockade resulted in lesser incidence of bucking and coughing during extubation with lesser postoperative bleeding compared to traditional technique of awake extubation without added risks of regurgitation, aspiration, or delayed recovery.

Attenuation of the Airway and Cardiovascular Responses to Extubation in Chronic Smokers by Prior Treatment with Dexmedetomidine, Fentanyl, and their Combination

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications and hemodynamic changes during and after extubation are more common than during tracheal intubation and induction of anesthesia. AIM: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of prior treatment with dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and their combination on the attenuation of the airway and cardiovascular responses to extubation. METHODS: The subjects were adult chronic male smokers, representing the population in which secondary response to extubation is most common. A randomized double-blinded comparative trial was conducted on 66 patients who were 20–60 years of age, chronic male smokers, scheduled for elective surgeries, and divided into three equal groups according to given drug 20 min before the end of surgery. Group A (n = 22) received 1 ug. kg−1 dexmedetomidine, Group B (n = 22) received fentanyl 1 ug. kg−1, and Group C (n = 22) received a mixture of the previously used drugs in the same doses. Time to and quality of extubation, airway and hemodynamic responses, and post-operative agitation and sedation were recorded. RESULTS: Hemodynamic responses and quality of extubation were better in both Groups A and C than patients in Group B at the expense of increasing time to extubation, post-extubation sedation, and delayed recovery in Group C. CONCLUSION: Single-dose dexmedetomidine 1 ug. kg-1 given 15 min before extubation in chronic cigarette smokers provided better attenuation of the airway and cardiovascular responses to extubation and suctioning with better recovery profile when compared to fentanyl 1 ug. kg-1 and dexmedetomidine mixed with fentanyl in the same previous doses.

Reliable and Rapid Smooth Extubation After "Ketamine-Propfol Mixture" for Induction of General Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Drilling of Polycystic Ovary: A Randomized, Double-blind, Comparative Study

Background

Ketofol's effect on hemodynamics and the airway response during inducing general anesthesia has been studied previously. However, ketofol's effect on the smoothness of extubation has not been studied yet.

Objectives

We aimed to assess ketofol’s effect on the smoothness of extubation and compare it with propofol for inducing general anesthesia.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized, and controlled study was conducted on 106 class I and II female patients with the “American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASAPS),” aged 18 - 40 years, scheduled for laparoscopic drilling for polycystic ovary disease under general anesthesia. The patients were assigned to two groups of 53 patients each: Group KP = ketofol and Group P = propofol.

Results

There was an excellent sedation score during suction and extubation in the ketofol group. The airway response and smoothness of extubation were better in the ketofol group than in the propofol group.

Conclusions

Ketofol as an induction anesthetic agent more effectively attenuated the airway response during extubation than only propofol.

Smooth Extubation and Smooth Emergence Techniques: A Narrative Review

There is a paucity of literature on extubation technique and a lack of consensus regarding the definition of smooth extubation. This narrative review paper defines an ideal extubation, otherwise known as a “smooth extubation,” reviews perioperative criteria for extubation and risks and adverse events related to extubation, and explores various perioperative techniques that can be used to achieve a smooth extubation while caring for an uncomplicated patient without significant risk factors for extubation failure. In light of the evolving practice during the SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic to minimize aerosol generation and infection transmission, smooth extubation is particularly important.

Comparison of Dexmedetomidine, Lidocaine, and Fentanyl in Attenuation Hemodynamic Response of Laryngoscopy and Intubation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Materials and Methods

This clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients, aged 30–70 years, who had heart surgery. The participants were categorized into three groups. Group D received 1 µg/kg intravenous dexmedetomidine in 10 minutes, group L received 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine (1%) 90 seconds before intubation, and group F received 2 µg/kg fentanyl. The vital signs (HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP) were measured before intubation and 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes after intubation. Data were analyzed with SPSS 19 software (chi-square, one-way ANOVA, or Kruskal–Wallis).

Results

The age (P=0.389) and gender distributions of patients were similar in all three groups. Dexmedetomidine significantly attenuated HR in the 3^rd (P=0.001), 5^th (P=0.001), and 10^th (P=0.003) minutes after intervention. It also reduced the systolic blood pressure in the 5^th (P=0.024) and 10^th (P=0.006) minutes. This reduction was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group than that in the two other groups. In addition, dexmedetomidine caused a greater reduction in MAP in the 1^st (P=0.048), 5^th (P=0.0001), and 10^th (P=0.0001) minutes. Discussion. All three medications were effective in controlling HR; however, dexmedetomidine caused bradycardia in the 3^rd, 5^th, and 10^th minutes. Lidocaine resulted in an increase in MAP in the 1^st minute after intubation; whereas, dexmedetomidine reduced MAP at the 5^th and 10^th minutes after intubation. Changes in blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in the fentanyl group was lower than the two other groups.

Conclusion

As a result, dexmedetomidine was not suitable for hemodynamic control and led to hypotension and bradycardia; on the other hand, fentanyl was more effective than two other medications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This trial is registered with IRCT2017013132320N1.

Effectiveness and safety of intravenous application of dexmedetomidine for cesarean section under general anesthesia: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

Objective

The meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine for cesarean section under general anesthesia, as well as neonatal outcomes.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the application of intravenous dexmedetomidine under general anesthesia for cesarean section. RevMan 5.3 was used to conduct the meta-analysis of the outcomes of interest.

Results

Eight RCTs involved 376 participants were included in this study. The meta-analysis showed that the mean blood pressure at the time of intubation (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -15.67, 95% CI: -21.21, -10.13, P<0.00001), skin incision (WMD: -12.83, 95% CI -20.53, -5.14, P=0.001), and delivery (WMD: -11.65, 95% CI -17.18, -6.13, P<0.0001) in dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower than that in the control group. The heart rate (HR) at the time of intubation (WMD: -31.41, 95% CI -35.01, -27.81, P<0.00001), skin incision (WMD: -22.32, 95% CI -34.55, -10.10, P=0.0003), and delivery (WMD: -19.07, 95% CI -22.09, -16.04, P<0.00001) were also lower than that in control group. For neonatal parameters, no differences existed in umbilical blood gases at delivery, and Apgar scores at 1 minute (WMD: -0.12, 95% CI -0.37, 0.12, P=0.33) and 5 minutes (WMD: -0.17, 95% CI -0.13, 0.46, P=0.27) among two groups.

Conclusion

Intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine could efficiently attenuate the maternal cardiovascular response during cesarean section, without affecting Apgar score of the neonate.

Effect of intratracheal dexmedetomidine administration on recovery from general anaesthesia after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomised double-blinded study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the efficacy of intratracheal dexmedetomidine (Dex) injection for the prevention of the laryngeal response on emergence from general anaesthesia following gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial.

SETTING

A general hospital, Guangdong Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who underwent elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery, aged 18-60 years old, 40-80 kg in weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-II were eligible. Patients were excluded if they had respiratory disease, heart disorders which might represent risk factors of potential complications of Dex such as bradycardia, heart block, coronary heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension or the long-term use of sedative drugs.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly allocated to either receive intratracheal Dex (DT), intravenous Dex (DV) or intravenous saline (CON, n=30, respectively). In the DT and DV groups, Dex (0.5 µg/kg) was diluted and mixed in 1 or 20 mL of saline, respectively, and injected via the intratracheal or intravenous route 30 min before the completion of the surgery.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the coughing extent among the three groups. Secondary outcomes included awareness time, extubation time, postoperative visual analogue scale and Steward recovery score.

RESULTS

Compared with the CON group, the extent of coughing was significantly reduced in both the DV group and the DT group. Furthermore, the mean time to awareness (13.4 (4.3) vs 8.8 (2.9), p<0.001) and the extubation time (14.3 (4.3) vs 8.4 (3.6), p<0.001) were reduced in the DT group. Patients in the DT group also experienced better early recovery quality and less pain than those in the CON group. Furthermore, intratracheal Dex administration contributed to improved stability in haemodynamics with no significant side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Intratracheal Dex administration may avoid untoward laryngeal responses for patients emerging from general anaesthesia after gynaecological laparoscopy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-IOR-15007611.