Intraoperative Use of Dexmedetomidine to Reduce Postoperative Analgesic Requirement

Objective: to assess the effect of Dexmedetomidine given intraoperatively compared to placebo on acute postoperative pain and requirement of analgesics after surgery. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Multan Pakistan from May to Dec 2023. Methodology: One hundred and sixty patients aged 18-40 years with no known comorbidities were selected. Cases were divided into two Groups having 80 cases in a Group. Group A was given intraoperative Dexmedetomidine and Group B was given placebo in equal volumes. Postoperatively, pain was assessed using visual analogue score at different intervals of time. Pain values of both the Groups were compared. Results: Mean Age and weight of the patients in Group A and B were comparable and the difference was not significant, p-value for age and weight difference at 0.37 and 0.24, respectively. Postoperative analgesia (Nalbuphine) requirement was lesser in Group A than B till 8th postoperative hour, mean value 3.9±1.01 mg and 5.04±4.38 mg, respectively (p 0.024). Median Visual analogue score were significantly lesser in Group A compared to Group B till 8th postoperative hour, median value 1 and 2 respectively whereas p<0.01. Conclusion: Intraoperative use of Dexmedetomidine significantly reduces the pain intensity post operatively. Hence, the post-operative requirement of intravenous opioids is reduced.