The effect of perioperative esmolol infusion on the postoperative pain and nausea vomiting after middle ear surgeries

Background: Pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting are the most common postoperative complications in middle ear surgeries. Amongst the beta-blockers, esmolol is ultrashort acting cardio selective β1 receptor antagonist used for management of postoperative pain. It also contributes to the significant decrease in PONV and reduces patient distress and facilitates earlier discharge. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of perioperative esmolol infusion on postoperative pain relief and postoperative nausea vomiting after middle ear surgeries. Methods: After obtaining approval from Institution Ethics Committee, 70 patients of age 15 and 65 years of ASA I,II and III were allocated with randomization into two groups of 35 each. Group C: 30 ml normal saline loading dose and thereafter continuous infusion of 1ml/min and Group E:0.5mg/kg esmolol in 30ml NS loading dose and 30ug/kg/min as infusion. Results: Average duration of analgesia was about 535 min in group E as compared to 187 min in group C. For PONV requirement of inj. ondansetron in group E was after 145 min and in group C it was 20 min. Group E patients had significantly less variations in blood pressure and heart rate intraoperatively and the response to intubation was masked as compared to group C. Conclusion: Intraoperative esmolol infusion is a newer justified method to reduce postoperative pain and PONV with advantage of hemodynamic stability.