Background and Aims:Transdermal buprenorphine patch (TDB) is increasingly used for chronic pain management because of non-invasive dosing, longer duration of action and minimal side effects. However its role in acute post-operative pain management for spinal instrumentation surgery is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine patch for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing spinal instrumentation surgery.Methods:In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, prospective study, 70 adult patients undergoing elective spinal instrumentation surgery were randomly allocated into two groups-TDB Group (buprenorphinepatch) and TDP Group (placebo patch). Time to first rescue analgesic requirement was the primary outcome. All patients also were monitored for total rescue analgesic requirement, drug-related adverse effect and haemodynamic status till 48 h after surgery. Statistical analysis was carried out using student independent t-test if normally distributed or with Mann–Whitney U-test if otherwise.Results:Time to first post-operative rescue analgesic (tramadol) requirement was much delayed in TDB Group than TDP Group (708.0 ± 6.98 min vs 54 ± 0.68 min, P < 0.001) and the total tramadol requirement was higher in TDB Group (490.60 ± 63.09 averagevs. 162.93 ± 63.91 mg, P < 0.001). Intra-and post-operative haemodynamic status was also stable in TDB Group without any adverse event.Conclusion:A TDB patch (10 μg/hour) applied 24 hours before surgery can be used as a postoperative analgesic for lumber fixation surgery without any drug-related adverse effect.

Background and Aims:Haemodynamic changes during endotracheal intubation are major concerns in general anaesthesia This study compared the efficacy of intranasal and intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) to attenuate the stress response of laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.Methods:In this prospective, randomised, double-blinded study, 70 adults were divided into two groups [Group DIV(n=35) and Group DIN(n=35)]. DIV group received intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) infusion (0.5 μg/kg) over 40 min and DIN group received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) 40 min before induction. The primary objective was the comparison the mean arterial pressure (MAP) between two groups from 40 min before induction at every 10 min intervals till induction of anaesthesia, at the time of intubation, thereafter every 1 min interval till 5 min, at 7 min and 10 min after intubation. The secondary outcomes were comparison of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure along with sedation and other adverse effects. Statistical analysis was with Statistica 6.0 and Graph Pad prism version 5.Results:In both the groups, all the haemodynamic parameters were maintained within (20% of baseline values) throughout the study period. There was no statistically significant difference in MAP between two groups (P>0.05). Preoperative sedation score was significantly higher in the DIV group than the DIN group (P = 0.014).Conclusion:Like IV DEX, intranasal DEX can also attenuate the haemodynamic stress responses of laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation without significant differences in MAP between two groups.

Background and Aims:Various anaesthetic drugs, in addition to airway block, are used for producing favourable intubation conditions during awake fibre-optic intubation (AFOI), but most of them cause respiratory depression and hypoxaemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine (DEX) on sedation, patient comfort and cardiovascular responses during AFOI in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Methods:This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, prospective study was conducted on 56 adult patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) undergoing elective cervical fixation, who were randomly allocated into two groups - Group D and Group C. Group D patients received DEX infusion at a rate of 1 μg/kg for the first 10 min followed by 0.5 μg/kg/h and Group C received 0.9% normal saline infusion in the same manner. Airway blocks with lignocaine were given to all patients before undergoing AFOI. Patient's alertness, sedation and cardiorespiratory changes during the procedure were assessed by the Observer Assessment Awareness and Sedation (OAA/S) scale. On the 1st post-operative day, patient's' comfort during AFOI was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:Patients of Group D had an acceptable level of sedation (OAA/S score: 20 to 17 with greater comfort and satisfaction (VAS: 40–60), compared to control group (VAS: 50–90, P < 0.001.). Moreover, haemodynamic parameters were less significantly altered in the DEX group during AFOI.Conclusions:IV DEX infusion during AFOI improves patient's tolerances with an acceptable level of sedation without significant haemodynamic instability and respiratory depression.