EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE PREMEDICATION ON CHARACTERISTICS OF BUPIVACAINE SPINAL BLOCK

BACKGROUND Regional anaesthesia has gained worldwide popularity and in the complexity of modern anaesthesiology it offers many advantages: simplicity, rapid onset, dense motor block and avoidance of the potential airway complications related to general anaesthesia. It produces analgesia with minimal physiological disturbance. Aim- This is a study to evaluate the effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine premedication on subarachnoid block using 0.5% bupivacaine. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India over a one-year period among patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. This was a randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled study on 60 patients belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, aged 18 - 55 years. Patients received either dexmedetomidine 0.5 mu/kg (Group D) or saline intravenously (Group C) five minutes before spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% bupivacaine. The maximum level of sensory block, duration of block, sensory and motor regression time and sedation were recorded. The time for first analgesic requirement in the post-operative period was also noted. Side effects, if any, were also noted. RESULTS Patients who received IV dexmedetomidine had faster onset and delayed recovery of motor blockade. In addition, the level of sensory block achieved was higher and the time for sensory regression was longer in dexmedetomidine arm. However, the grade of motor blockade was comparable in both groups. The dexmedetomidine arm also had higher sedation and better post-operative analgesia with longer time interval for rescue analgesia. Side effects were comparable in both the groups. CONCLUSION We conclude that IV dexmedetomidine is a suitable premedicant drug in patients receiving subarachnoid block.