A triple blind, randomised, placebo controlled, add-on trial to assess the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in facilitation of general anaesthesia in patients undergoing elective spine surgery

Abstract

Background: Dexmedetomidine is a centrally acting sympatholytic drug acting as an agonist on alpha2 receptors. Of late, the drug has become popular in anaesthesia because of its sedative, analgesic and anti-adrenergic effects. Aims and Objectives: We conducted a single centre, randomised, placebo controlled, triple blinded add-on trial to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug as an adjuvant in general anaesthesia (GA) during elective spine surgery. Materials and Methods: Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using standard method in all the patients (N=60). Concomitantly, patients in the treatment arm (n=30) and control arm (n=30) were infused with dexmedetomidine and normal saline respectively. The anaesthetic sparing effect, hemodynamic stability, and adverse events of dexmedetomidine were assessed using pre-defined outcome parameters. Results: Anaesthetic Sparing Effect: Dexmedetomidine produced statistically significant reduction in the requirement of propofol and fentanyl during GA (p