Dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for inguinoscrotal surgery

Abstract

Background and aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anesthetic and analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant in spinal anesthesia for patients undergoing inguinoscrotal surgery. Patients and methods A total of 70 adult male patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II) scheduled for inguinoscrotal surgery were randomized into two equal groups using a computer-generated randomization table and received 3 ml plain hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% diluted in 0.5 ml normal saline in group C or plus dexmedetomidine (5 µg) in group D. Anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation qualities; hemodynamic changes; and adverse effects were recorded. Results The studied groups showed no significant difference regarding demographic data. The highest sensory level (T8) was the same in both groups, but there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05) regarding quality of anesthesia, times of onset, and duration and regressions of sensory and motor blocks (rapid onset and delayed offset of sensory and motor blocks in group D). Postoperative pain score (visual analog scale) and rescue analgesic requirements were lower in group D compared with group C, and excellent analgesic quality was higher in group D. Sedation score intraoperatively and up to 60 min postoperatively was significantly higher in group D compared with group C. Regarding hemodynamics, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate showed a statistically significant difference intraoperatively and till discharge to ward (P<0.05). Regarding adverse effects, two patients in group C compared with three patients in group D had incidence of hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure˂55 mmHg). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia seems to be a profound intrathecal anesthetic, analgesic, and sedative agent, with preservation of hemodynamic stability and minimal adverse effects.