Comparison of hemodynamic responses to nasal intubation in cancer patients receiving opioid-free general anesthesia versus standard regimen.

Background and aims: Nasotracheal intubation evokes greater hemodynamic responses than oral intubation. We compared the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses following nasal intubation during opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) using intravenous lignocaine versus standard regimen using morphine in cancer patients undergoing tumor resection.

Material and methods: This randomized, double-blinded study was conducted in 84 adults. Group A received lidocaine bolus 1.5 mg/kg over 10 min followed by infusion of 1 mg/kg/h. Group B received morphine 0.2mg/kg bolus over 10 min followed by infusion of 2mg/h. Protocols for induction and intubation were similar.

Results: Mean HR and MAP at preinduction, immediately after induction, and at 1, 3, and 5 min after intubation were comparable in groups A and B. Intragroup comparison of preinduction HR with subsequent values in group A showed that the HR values at 1,3, and 5 min after intubation were significantly higher than the preinduction value. HR after induction was comparable. Intragroup analysis in group B showed that preinduction HR was comparable with HR after induction and at 3 and 5 min after intubation. HR at 1 min was significantly higher. Intragroup analysis in group A showed that the MAP values were significantly lower than the preinduction value after induction and at 1,3, and 5 min after intubation. In group B, MAP was significantly lower than the preinduction value after induction and at 3 and 5 min after intubation, with the value being comparable at 1 min.

Conclusion: OFA with lignocaine bolus followed by infusion, as well as morphine did not attenuate the HR responses to nasal intubation in cancer patients. However, both techniques effectively blunted the MAP response.