Original Research Article
Year: 2015 | Month: February | Volume: 2 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 30-34
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Epidural Lidocaine
Srivishnu Vardhan Yallapragada, Gopi Krishna Vutukuri, Nagendra Nath Vemuri, Mastan Saheb Shaik
Department of Anaesthesiology, NRI Medical College, Guntur, India.
Corresponding author: Srivishnu Vardhan Yallapragada
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Efforts to find a better adjuvant in regional anesthesia are underway since long. Many agents were proved to be effective in providing a same pharmacological benefit by different mechanisms of action. In this study we sought to investigate the effect of Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists added to a local anesthetic in epidural space. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to Lidocaine in epidural anesthesia.
Methodology: Sixty patients scheduled for lower limb trauma orthopaedic surgeries under epidural anesthesia were divided into two groups D and C with 30 in each. Patients in group D received 12.5ml of 2% Lidocaine + Dexmedetomidine 0.5mcg/kg in 1.5ml solution making a total volume of 14ml. Patients in group C received 12.5ml of 2% Lidocaine + 1.5ml Normal saline making a total volume of 14ml. Onset, time for peak sensory level, time for two segment regression and the total Mephentermine consumed to maintain the hemodynamics were recorded, tabulated and statistically analysed.
Results: The onset of sensory block was significantly fast, the time for two segment regression was significantly more and the Mephentermine consumption was significantly high in group D than in group C.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is effective in hastening the onset and prolonging the duration of blockade when used as an adjuvant to epidural Lidocaine, but at the same time it has a propensity to cause frequent hypotension.
Key words: Dexmedetomidine, Lidocaine, Epidura