Using a Dexmedetomidine as an Opiates Reducing Agent in Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgeries

Abstract Background The analgesic, sympatholytic, and respiratory-sparing effects of α2-agonists present a tempting option in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. In this trial, the benefit of perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries has been studied. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine infusion in patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgeries as an opiates reducing agent according to the intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative opioid analgesic rescue. Patients and Methods We conducted a double blinded 2-arms parallel controlled trial in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups (30 patients in each group). Patients of group (A) received dexmedetomidine infusion 0.7 mcg/kg as a loading dose, followed by 0.2 mcg/kg/h as a maintenance intraoperative dose. Postoperative dose was 0.1 mcg/kg/h for 24 hours. Patients of group (B) received an infusion of saline without dexmedetomidine, using similar infusion sets, similar rate intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results Mean intraoperative SBP, DBP, and heart rate were all significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group (P