Abstract

Introduction: Dexmedetomidine is popular in providing stable haemodynamics, analgesia and sedation in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries. Two preinduction doses were compared for their effects. Materials and Methods: 44 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, 22each. Group D.5 received injection dexmedetomidine 0.5μg/kg, while group D1 received 1μg/kg; as intravenous bolus dose in 25ml NS over 15 min in operating room prior to induction. Parameters assessed were HR, BP, SpO2, EtCO2, RR; BIS and MAC of inhalational agent required perioperatively. Time to extubation was noted after stopping inhalational agents. In postoperative period, intravascular injection diclofenac (75mg) was used as rescue analgesic, pain and level of sedation were gauged with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score and Ramsay Sedation scale respectively. Results: Requirement of induction agents was markedly reduced, hemodynamic stability, level of sedation achieved were better with Group D1. The duration of post extubation analgesia observed in group D1 was significant (P= 0.01). Conclusion: Single preinduction bolus of 1mcg/kg adequately blunts stress response in shorter duration laparoscopic surgeries. Significantly reducing induction anesthetic dose, without delaying extubation, reducing analgesic requirement, not causing overt sedation and without increasing incidence of adverse events. So a dose of 1mcg/kg is better than 0.5mcg/kg.