Hemodynamic Responses at Intubation, Change of Position, and Skin Incision: A Comparison of Multimodal Analgesia with Conventional Analgesic Regime

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spine surgery is associated with hemodynamic variations at intubation, change of position, and skin incision. A balanced anesthesia with multimodal analgesia (MMA) is necessary to attenuate these changes. AIM: To assess the relative effectiveness of preemptive MMA compared with the conventional analgesic regime in suppressing the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation, prone positioning, and skin incision. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A randomized, prospective study involving 42 patients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 1 and II scheduled to undergo elective lumbar spine surgery were allocated into two groups of 21 each. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients were randomly allocated into Groups A and B. Group A (study group) received diclofenac, paracetamol, clonidine, and bupivacaine with adrenaline skin infiltration and Group B (control group) injection paracetamol and saline with adrenaline skin infiltration. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate [HR], systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], and mean arterial pressure [MAP]) between the groups following intubation, prone position, and skin incision were noted and compared using repeated measure analysis of variance. One sample t-test was used to compare the standard mean concentration with the means of the study and control groups. P < 5% being considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the study group, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were lower at intubation and change of position as compared to the control group and were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Preemptive MMA with balanced anesthesia is effective in attenuating the hemodynamic responses to multiple noxious stimuli during lumbar spine surgery.