Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl Infusion on Intraoperative Haemodynamic Changes in Neck Dissection

Abstract

Background: Perioperative and postoperative pain control, maintenance of hemodynamic stability, proper sedation, and awakening form an integral part of anaesthetic management in head and neck surgeries. Opioids such as fentanyl are widely used for analgesia in routine anaesthetic practice. Newer non-opioid drugs such as dexmedetomidine are being increasingly used to facilitate the recovery process after surgery because of their anaesthetic and analgesic sparing effects. In this study, we compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl infusion on intraoperative hemodynamic changes in neck dissection. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on intraoperative hemodynamic changes in neck dissection. Material and Methods: 60 male and female patients, ASA 1 and 2 aged 30–40 years scheduled for neck dissection surgeries under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group D (n = 30) received a bolus dose of IV dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg over 10 minutes before induction of anaesthesia and followed by infusion at the rate of 0.2 μg/kg/h during surgery. Group F (n = 30) received bolus dose of fentanyl 2 μg/kg before induction of anaesthesia and followed by infusion at the rate of 0.5 μg/kg/h during the surgery. General anaesthesia was induced in all patients using propofol and vecuronium. The following parameters were recorded: systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate before and after induction of anaesthesia and then every 15 minutes till the end of surgery. Results: The intraoperative systolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were statistically significantly (P < 0.05) lower in dexmedetomidine group compared to fentanyl group. Two patients had bradycardia in dexmedetomidine group and were responded injection atropine. Conclusion: The intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion provides stable intraoperative haemodynamics compared to fentanyl in neck dissection surgeries.