Alleviating hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation: A comparative study between dexmedetomidine and lignocaine in surgical patients

Background: Tracheal extubation is a crucial step during general anesthesia involving the removal of artificial airway when the indication for its placement no longer exists. Airway and circulatory interferences could be due to diminished tolerance to the tracheal tube, catecholamine surge, surgical pain, and airway irritation on behalf of suctioning or change in posture of the tube. Complications are more common during extubation than that occurring during induction and intubation. Aim: The main aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a single dose of dexmedetomidine and lignocaine in alleviating hemodynamic and stress responses during extubation and recovery. Materials and Methodology: Sixty patients of the age group between 20 and 65 years belonging to ASA 1 and 2 undergoing elective surgical procedures with a minimum anticipated duration of 60 min requiring endotracheal intubation were included in the study. The patients were assigned randomly into two groups with 30 participants in each group and were called as Group D receiving dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg and Group L receiving lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg. Observation and Results: Data were statistically analyzed with the SPSS version 20.0 software. Independent t-test analysis was used, and all the statistical test was examined with P ≤ 0.05 level of significance. Hemodynamic response was noted as more significant in Group D, whereas emergence and extubation time was noted sooner in Group L. Conclusion: We conclude that Dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/kg causes significant attenuation of hemodynamic stress response and deeper sedation when compared to lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg.