ObjectiveTo assess the postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine infusion for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery.MethodsPatients scheduled for major upper abdominal cancer surgery were allocated to group bupivacaine (n =32), in which patients received epidural bupivacaine infusion (6 mL/h bupivacaine 0.1%) for 48 hours postoperatively, or group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine (n=32), in which patients received epidural dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine infusion (6 mL/h of bupivacaine 0.1% + dexmedetomidine, 0.5 µg/mL) for 48 hours postoperatively. The cumulative morphine consumption, the time to first analgesic request, and the VAS pain score were evaluated.ResultsThe cumulative morphine consumption was significantly reduced in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine: mean ± SD of 10.40±5.16 mg vs 23.23±8.37 mg with an estimated difference (95% CI) of −12.83 (−16.43, −9.24), (P<0.001). The time to the first analgesic demand was significantly delayed in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine: median (IQR) of 6 (1.75, 8.25) h vs 1 (0, 4)h, (P<0.001). The mean collapsed over time of overall VAS pain scores at rest and movement was significantly reduced in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine : mean ± SE of 1.6±0.08 vs 2.38±0.08 with an estimated difference (95% CI) of −0.8 (−1, −0.86), (P<0.001), and mean ± SE of 2.17±0.07 vs 3.25±0.07 with an estimated difference (95% CI) of −1.1 (−1.27, – 0.89), (P<0.001), respectively.ConclusionEpidural infusion of dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery significantly reduced morphine consumption, delayed time to first analgesic supplementation, and decreased pain intensity during the first 48 hours postoperatively without harmful derangement on hemodynamics.
Background: Shoulder pain secondary to laparoscopic interventions may cause more discomfort to the patient than the incision site pain, with a reported incidence varies from 35% to 80%. Aim of the study:-To evaluate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on incidence and severity of laparoscopy-triggered shoulder tip pain. Methods: Sixty patients, 1st patient recruited on the 1 July 2017, undergoing elective laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Group C received intrathecal hyperbaric Bupivacaine 3.5 ml plus 0.5 ml normal saline. Group D received intrathecal hyperbaric Bupivacaine 3.5 ml plus 10 μg dexmedetomidine (0.5 ml). Measurements: Data on the severity of intraoperative shoulder pain were collected using a visual analogue scale. Results: Twenty-four patients in Group C complained of intraoperative shoulder tip pain, 16 patients (53.3%) required fentanyl which was given in 25 μg increments, and total fentanyl consumption for 16 patients was 875 μg. Two patients were converted into general anaesthesia as pain was intolerable (≥ 4). In Group D, five patients (16.7%) experienced shoulder pain intraoperative with a mean VAS score 0.37 ± 0.9. Conclusion: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine can effectively decrease the incidence and severity of shoulder tip pain during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anesthesia.
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