Intraperitoneal Ropivacaine with Dexmedetomidine or Fentanyl for Postoperative Analgesia Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparative Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal local anesthetic is an effective analgesic approach following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to compare the antinociceptive effects of intraperitoneal ropivacaine plus fentanyl with ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: This was randomized, prospective, double-blinded, observational clinical study. METHODS: A total of 80 patients, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of the two equal groups to receive either of the following: Group RF (n = 40) were given 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine combined with 1 μg/kg fentanyl (diluted in 2 mL normal saline) and Group RD (n = 40) were given 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine combined with 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine (diluted in 2 mL normal saline) through trocars. The quality of analgesia was assessed using visual analog scale score (VAS). Time to the first request of analgesia, the total dose of analgesic in the first 24 h and adverse effects were noted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed with the Students’ t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: VAS score at different time intervals, overall VAS in 24 h was significantly lower (1.68 ± 0.46 vs. 4.47 ± 0.94), time to first request of analgesia (min) was longest (122.7 ± 24.5 vs. 89.3 ± 13.2) and total analgesic consumption (mg) was lowest (95.3 ± 15.6 vs. 135.7 ± 75.1) in RD group than in RF group. CONCLUSION: The antinociceptive effect of the intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine is superior to ropivacaine combined with fentanyl.