Evaluating the effect of intramuscular dexmedetomidine or clonidine on the duration of anaesthesia and analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries under sub-arachnoid block

Abstract

Spinal anaesthesia in the form of subarachnoid block is the common modality of anaesthesia for lower abdominal surgeries. However, its main drawback is the limited duration of anaesthesia and analgesia. To overcome this several adjuncts to spinal anaesthesia have been tried by various routes to prolong the duration of action. We aimed at evaluating the effect of intramuscular Dexmedetomidine or Clonidine on the anaesthetic and analgesic effect after subarachnoid Bupivacaine.: 90 patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries were randomized to 3 groups of 30 each to receive normal saline or 1µg/kg Dexmedetomidine or 2µg/kg Clonidine intramuscularly 30 minutes prior to spinal anaesthesia. Patient’s sedation score, duration of sensory, motor block and request for first analgesic following surgery were noted.: Baseline characteristics were comparable among the 3 groups, the onset time of sensory and motor block was not different for the 3 groups. Sedation was greater for the Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine group than the control. Duration of anaesthesia and analgesia was significantly prolonged in Dexmedetomidine group when compared to the others. Intramuscular Dexmedetomidine or Clonidine given by intramuscular route prior to lower abdominal surgeries prolongs the duration of anaesthesia and analgesia without causing significant side effects.