Effects of dexmedetomidine on perioperative monitoring parameters and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine, an α2 agonist, when used as an adjuvant in general anesthesia attenuates stress response to various noxious stimuli, maintains perioperative hemodynamic stability and provides sedation without adversely affecting recovery in postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. In Group A, dexmedetomidine was given intravenously as loading dose of 1 μg/kg over 10 min, and normal saline was given in Group B patients. After induction with propofol, in Group A, dexmedetomidine was given as infusion at a dose of 0.2–0.8 μg/kg/h. Sevoflurane was used as inhalation agent in both groups. Perioperative monitoring parameters were recorded. Postoperative sedation and recovery were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Demographic data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Changes in the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP were analyzed using unpaired t-test and Mann–Whitney rank sum test was used to calculate “P” value wherever (Shapiro–Wilk)/normality test gave ambiguous results. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine significantly attenuates stress response at intubation with lesser increase in HR (86.00 ± 5.16 vs. 102.97 ± 7.07/min.), mean BP (95.78 ± 5.35 vs. 110.18 ± 5.35) as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). After pneumoperitoneum, HR was 85.07 ± 6.23 versus 107.10 ± 4.98, mean BP was 98.98 ± 10.16 versus 118.54 ± 6.27 (P < 0.05). Thus maintains intraoperative hemodynamic stability. Postoperatively, the test group showed no statistically significant difference in the extubation time (7.00 ± 0.58 vs. 6.74 ± 0.73) and response to oral commands (8.78 ± 0.72 vs. 8.66 ± 0.73) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine attenuates various stress responses during surgery and maintains the hemodynamic stability when used as an adjuvant in general anesthesia and dexmedetomidine does not delay recovery.