Comparison of Intraoperative Propofol-Dexmedetomidine and Ketofol-Dexmedetomidine Infusions on Recovery from Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Trans-Sphenoidal Pituitary Surgeries: A Randomised Controlled Trial

A rapid and smooth emergence is essential in patients undergoing trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgeries. Ketofol has been used as an anesthetic agent with good recovery characteristics. We conducted this study to compare the recovery profile of the patients receiving propofol-dexmedetomidine or ketofol-dexmedetomidine infusions for trans-sphenoidal excision of pituitary tumours.BACKGROUNDA rapid and smooth emergence is essential in patients undergoing trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgeries. Ketofol has been used as an anesthetic agent with good recovery characteristics. We conducted this study to compare the recovery profile of the patients receiving propofol-dexmedetomidine or ketofol-dexmedetomidine infusions for trans-sphenoidal excision of pituitary tumours.Forty adult patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary surgery received either an infusion of propofol (Group P) or ketofol, 1:5 (Group KP)at 0.6-0.9ml/kg/h. Dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg/ h) was administered in both groups. Our aim was to assess the recovery time, extubation time, emergence time. We also assessed the intraoperative hemodynamics, cerebral oxygenation, quality of the surgical field and postoperative pain.MATERIALS AND METHODSForty adult patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary surgery received either an infusion of propofol (Group P) or ketofol, 1:5 (Group KP)at 0.6-0.9ml/kg/h. Dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg/ h) was administered in both groups. Our aim was to assess the recovery time, extubation time, emergence time. We also assessed the intraoperative hemodynamics, cerebral oxygenation, quality of the surgical field and postoperative pain.The recovery time (Group KP v/s P; 16.5 ± 4.3 v/s 8.3 ± 2.7 mins, P