Background and aims: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation require an adequate depth of anaesthesia. The study's primary objective was to compare the time needed to achieve the bispectral index (BIS)-guided adequate depth of anaesthesia for endotracheal intubation using fentanyl and dexmedetomidine.
Methods: After institutional ethics committee clearance and written informed consent, this randomised study was conducted on 140 patients of either gender between 18 and 60 years who were scheduled for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomised to intravenous dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg (Group D) or fentanyl 2 μg/kg (Group F). The drugs were given as an intravenous infusion over 10 min before induction of anaesthesia. The primary outcome was the time required to achieve BIS 50. Normally distributed variables were compared using Student's t-test, and non-normally distributed variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Qualitative data were analysed using Chi-square/Fisher's exact test. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The time to achieve BIS 50 was lesser in Group F, 1546 (27) as compared to Group D, 1558 (11) s [mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI) 12[5.11, 18.89]), P < 0.001]. Haemodynamic parameters were comparable at all time points between both the groups, except heart rate, which was significantly lower. Propofol consumption was significantly less in group D than in group F [125.9 (25.36) versus 157.3 (42.80) mg, respectively, mean difference (95% CI) 31.4 (-44.16 to -20.63) P < 0.001)].
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine achieves BIS 50 faster and has a propofol-sparing effect as compared to fentanyl.
Background and aims: Thoracic continuous spinal anaesthesia (TCSA) is emerging as the sole anaesthetic for major abdominal surgery due to its better perioperative outcomes. This study was designed to evaluate block characteristics and outcomes in 'opioid-free' and 'opioid-based' TCSA.
Methods: After ethical approval, trial registration and written informed consent, 50 adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomised into 'opioid-free' (bupivacaine alone) and 'opioid-based' (bupivacaine with fentanyl) groups. After confirmation of T4-L1 dermatome level of spinal anaesthesia, sedation by intravenous (IV) midazolam (0.02-0.05 mg/kg), ketamine (0.25 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (bolus dose of 1 µg/kg IV over 10 min followed by 0.2-0.7 µg/kg/h infusion) were started. The primary outcome measured was postoperative pain scores for 72 h in both groups. The secondary objectives were rescue opioid requirement, and the dose of bupivacaine required to achieve T4 level. Data were compared using the two-sided Student t-test, Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests.
Results: The 'opioid-based' group performed significantly better compared with the 'opioid-free' group concerning pain scores at rest at 0 h (P = 0.023), 18 h (P = 0.023) and 24 h (P = 0.016) postoperatively, decreased intrathecal bupivacaine requirement [(induction (P = 0.012) and maintenance (P = 0.031)], postoperative rescue fentanyl requirement (P = 0.018) and patient satisfaction (P = 0.032) at the cost of increased postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.049).
Conclusion: The 'opioid-based' TCSA provided better postoperative analgesia with significantly lesser postoperative pain scores when compared to the 'opioid-free' group in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Background and aims: Motor-sparing analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial. The primary endpoint was the postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score after triple injection peri-sartorius (TIPS) block after TKA. Secondary endpoints were postoperative morphine consumption, 24-h postoperative ambulation distances and the degrees of active knee extension.
Methods: After general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia administration and before surgical incision, 80 patients undergoing TKA were randomised into group TIPS (received ultrasound-guided TIPS block where 40 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and 4 mg dexamethasone were injected: 10 ml at the distal femoral triangle, 10 ml above the sartorius and 20 ml at the distal adductor canal) and group FNB (femoral nerve block; received ultrasound-guided FNB with 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine mixed with 4 mg dexamethasone). Postoperative pain score was noted and compared.
Results: Dynamic VAS scores were lower in the TIPS group than in FNB, while the resting VAS scores were not significantly different. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) postoperative morphine consumption was 5.82 (2.47) mg in the TIPS group (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.03,6.61) versus 9.87 (2.99) mg in the FNB group (95% CI 8.91,10.83). Ambulation distances and active postoperative knee extension in the TIPS group showed greater significance than in the FNB group (TIPS: 18.0 [7.37] m, 95% CI 15.64,20.35] vs. FNB: 8.95 [5.93] m, 95% CI 7.05,10.84) and (TIPS: 52.12 [16.39], 95% CI 46.88,57.33 vs. FNB: 26.05 [11.10], 95% CI 22.501,29.59). Nausea was more evident in FNB patients.
Conclusion: TIPS block provides superior analgesia than FNB with motor sparing of the quadriceps after TKA.