Peri-operative thoracic epidural analgesia for thoracotomy

Dexmedetomidine or Fentanyl, Which One Is Better as an Adjunct Drug in Epidural Anesthesia and Causes More Postoperative Pain Reduction? A Comparative Study, a Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives

This study compared dexmedetomidine to fentanyl as an adjunct to ropivacaine for epidural anesthesia in patients undergoing femoral neck fracture surgery.

Methods

A total of 56 patients in two different groups with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl underwent the epidural anesthesia method by ropivacaine. This study compared the onset and duration of sensory block, duration of motor block, visual analog scale (VAS) analgesia, and sedation score. The VAS and hemodynamics (e.g., heart rate and mean arterial pressure) were measured every 5 to 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes to the end of the surgery, and then in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours after surgery.

Results

In the fentanyl group, the onset time of the sensory block was longer (P < 0.001), and the duration of the block was shorter than in the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.045). In the fentanyl group, the onset time of motor block was longer than in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.001). The mean highest VAS score for each patient in the dexmedetomidine group was 4.9 ± 0.6, compared to the fentanyl group (5.8 ± 0.9), with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The sedation score was higher from the 30th minute (P = 0.01) to the 120th minute (P = 0.04) in the patients of the dexmedetomidine group than in the fentanyl group. Side effects, such as dry mouth, hypotension, and bradycardia, were more common in the dexmedetomidine group, and nausea and vomiting were more common in the fentanyl group; however, there were no differences between the groups. There was no respiratory depression in both groups.

Conclusions

This study presented that dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in epidural anesthesia for orthopedic femoral fracture surgery shortens the onset time of sensory and motor block, increases analgesia length, and prolongs anesthesia. Sedation with dexmedetomidine is better than fentanyl, with fewer side effects, and more effective as preemptive analgesia.

Impact on Postoperative Pain and Recovery of a Regional Analgesia Strategy Based on the Surgical Approach for Lung Resection: A Prospective Observational Study

Various regional anesthesia (RA) techniques were shown to reduce pain after lung surgery, but controversies remain regarding the best technique to use to improve recovery. In this observational prospective study, the aim was to assess the efficacy of an RA strategy depending on the surgical approach. Patients who underwent lung surgery were included if an RA was planned following our unit procedure (erector spinae plane block (ESP) for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) or intrathecal analgesia (IA) for thoracotomy). Patients were compared according to the RA used. In total, 116 patients were included, 70 (60%), 32 (28%), 14 (12%) in the ESP, TEA and IA groups, respectively. Between Day 1 and Day 3, median NRS values were ≤4 at rest, and <50% patients experienced moderate-to-severe pain in each group. There were no significant differences in opioid consumption and in pain at rest or during chest physiotherapy on Days 1 and 2 between groups. However, patients who received an IA had lower NRS than other groups on Day 0 and 3 and a shorter length of hospital stay in comparison with those who received a TEA. Thus, in our institution, a strategy combining ESP for VATS and TEA, or IA for thoracotomy, allowed for effective analgesia after a lung resection. Interestingly, IA appeared to be more effective than TEA in reducing the length of hospital stay and pain on Day 0 and 3.

Comparison of the Analgesic Efficacy of a Single Dose of Epidural Dexmedetomidine versus Fentanyl as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Abdominal Surgery

Background:

Fentanyl as an epidural additive act on spinal opioid receptors, while dexmedetomidine has selective alpha-2 receptor agonist action enhancing analgesic effects.

Aims:

We aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of single doses of dexmedetomidine against fentanyl as epidural adjuvant to 0.125% bupivacaine.

Settings and Design:

A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in a tertiary care teaching institute.

Patients and Methods:

Forty-six patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia with epidural analgesia were allocated into two groups to receive postoperative analgesia with single doses of 10 mL 0.125% bupivacaine with the addition of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg.kg-1 (Group D) or fentanyl 0.5 μg.kg-1 (Group F). The primary outcome was the duration of postoperative analgesia between the two groups. The secondary outcomes were hemodynamic variations, vasopressor need, and motor blockade.

Statistical Analysis:

Chi-square test for static parameters and Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables were used for analysis.

Results:

The duration of analgesia was longer in Group D (5.0 ± 2.0 h) versus Group F (2.9 ± 1.4 h), Sixteen patients in Group D versus seven patients in Group F needed vasopressors after the bolus to maintain the blood pressure (BP) within 20% of prebolus value (P = 0.018). Heart rate and mean and systolic BP were lower in Group D at various time points following bolus administration.

Conclusion:

A single dose of dexmedetomidine as an additive to epidural local anesthetic postoperatively prolongs the duration of analgesia in comparison to fentanyl but is associated with changes in hemodynamics, including the need for the administration of vasoactive drugs.

The efficacy and safety of epidural dexmedetomidine and clonidine with bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alpha (α-2) adrenergic agonists have both analgesic and sedative properties when used as an adjuvant in regional anesthesia. A prospective randomized double-blind study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of epidural route and to compare the efficacy and clinical profile of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine with special emphasis on their quality of analgesia, sedation and the ability to provide the smooth intra-operative and postoperative course.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in prospective, randomized and double-blind manner. It included 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I and II patients undergoing lower limb surgery under epidural anesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into Group A receiving 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 15 ml with dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg and Group B receiving 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 15 ml with clonidine 2 μg/kg epidurally. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, duration of analgesia, sedation, and adverse effects were assessed.

RESULTS

Demographic data, surgical characteristics cardio-respiratory parameters, side-effect profile were comparable and statistically not significant in both the groups. However, sedation scores with dexmedetomidine were better than clonidine and turned out to be statistically significant. The onset times for sensory and motor blocks were significantly shorter in Group A as compared to Group B. The duration of analgesia and motor block was significantly longer in A Group as compared to Group B.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine is a superior neuraxial adjuvant to bupivacaine when compared to clonidine for early onset of analgesia, superior intra-operative analgesia, stable cardio-respiratory parameters, prolonged postoperative analgesia and providing patient comfort.

Comparative analysis of epidural bupivacaine versus bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine for vaginal hysterectomy

Background:

Dexmedetomidine a new drug, which is alpha-two agonist, is recommended by manufacturers as an adjuvant in epidural analgesia and anesthesia.

Aims:

To study the effects of dexmedetomidine on quality and efficacy of the epidural bupivacaine 0.5% for vaginal hysterectomies, by studying the onset of action, duration of action, highest dermatomal level achieved, degree of motor blockade, intraoperative and postoperative anesthesia and analgesia achieved.

Setting and Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II patients requiring vaginal hysterectomy were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups - Group I: Control group receiving epidural bupivacaine 0.5% 15–20 ml only.

Group II:

Group receiving of epidural bupivacaine 0.5% 15–20 ml with dexmedetomidine 05 mcg/kg. Following parameters were noted: Time to onset of T10 dermatomal level, maximum sensory level achieved, time for complete motor block, time for two segmental dermatomes regression, regression to S1 dermatome, time for first rescue analgesic and total top ups required during study.

Statistical Analysis:

Mean and standard deviation was calculated. We used two independent sample t-test to find the P value. Software used STATA 13.0.

Results:

The demographic profile was comparable between the groups. There was significant difference between two groups (P < 0.001) regarding onset of analgesia to T10 (17.12 ± 2.44 vs. 10.14 ± 2.94), time to achieve complete motor block (27.16 ± 4.52 vs. 22.98 ± 4.78), which was earlier in dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine group. Prolonged postoperative analgesia, less rescue top ups and adequate sedation score was found with dexmedetomidine group. The intraoperative hemodynamic changes were comparable in both the groups. The incidence of dry mouth, shivering and nausea was more with the dexmedetomidine group.

Conclusion:

We conclude that epidural dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg is a good adjuvant providing early onset of sensory and motor block, adequate sedation and prolonged postoperative analgesia with minimal side-effects.

Comparative evaluation of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for epidural analgesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries

Background and Aims:

Opioids as epidural adjunct to local anesthetics (LA) have been in use since long and α-2 agonists are being increasingly used for similar purpose. The present study aims at comparing the hemodynamic, sedative, and analgesia potentiating effects of epidurally administered fentanyl and dexmedetomidine when combined with ropivacaine.

Methods:

A total of one hundred patients of both gender aged 21-56 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I and II who underwent lower limb orthopedic surgery were enrolled into the present study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Ropivacaine + Dexmedetomidine (RD) and Ropivacaine + Fentanyl (RF), comprising 50 patie nts each. Inj. Ropivacaine, 15 ml of 0.75%, was administered epidurally in both the groups with addition of 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine in RD group and 1 μg/kg of fentanyl in RF group. Besides cardio-respiratory parameters and sedation scores, various block characteristics were also observed which included time to onset of analgesia at T10, maximum sensory analgesic level, time to complete motor blockade, time to two segmental dermatomal regressions, and time to first rescue analgesic. At the end of study, data was compiled systematically and analyzed using ANOVA with post-hoc significance, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Value of P<0.05 is considered significant and P<0.001 as highly significant.

Results:

The demographic profile of patients was comparable in both the groups. Onset of sensory analgesia at T10 (7.12±2.44 vs 9.14±2.94) and establishment of complete motor blockade (18.16±4.52 vs 22.98±4.78) was significantly earlier in the RD group. Postoperative analgesia was prolonged significantly in the RD group (366.62±24.42) and consequently low dose consumption of local anaesthetic LA (76.82±14.28 vs 104.35±18.96) during epidural top-ups postoperatively. Sedation scores were much better in the RD group and highly significant on statistical comparison (P<0.001). Incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly high in the RF group (26% and 12%), while incidence of dry mouth was significantly higher in the RD group (14%) (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Dexmedetomidine seems to be a better alternative to fentanyl as an epidural adjuvant as it provides comparable stable hemodynamics, early onset, and establishment of sensory anesthesia, prolonged post-op analgesia, lower consumption of post-op LA for epidural analgesia, and much better sedation levels.

Postthoracotomy pain management problems

Pain after thoracotomy is very severe, probably the most severe pain experienced after surgery. Thoracic epidural analgesia has greatly improved the pain experience and its consequences and has been considered the standard for pain management after thoracotomy. This view has been challenged recently by the use of paravertebral nerve blocks. Nevertheless, severe ipsilateral shoulder pain and the prevention of the postthoracotomy pain syndrome remain the most important challenges for management of postthoracotomy pain.