A comparative evaluation of epidural and general anaesthetic technique for renal surgeries: A randomised prospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuraxial anaesthesia has become popular for the renal surgeries during the last few years. This study was aimed at comparing general anaesthesia (GA) with epidural anaesthesia in patients undergoing renal surgeries. METHODS: One hundred American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status-I and II adult consenting patients of both gender in the age group of 25-55 years undergoing renal surgeries were randomly assigned to two groups of 50 patients each: Group G and Group E. Group G patients were administered conventional GA while Group E received epidural anaesthesia (EA) with 3 mg/kg of ropivacaine and 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine. Besides cardio-respiratory parameters, surgeon's satisfaction, patient's satisfaction and side effects were observed. Parametric data were analysed by ANOVA while non-parametric data were compared with Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon test. Value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The demographic profile, total anaesthesia time, surgical time and haemodynamic parameters and surgeon's satisfaction scores were comparable in both groups. Patient's satisfaction scores were better in Group E during the post-operative period. Incidence of side-effects such as nausea and vomiting and shivering were higher in Group G (P < 0.001) while the incidence of dry mouth was higher in Group E (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Epidural anaesthesia with ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine can be safely and effectively used in patients undergoing renal surgeries.