COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTRAVENOUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE VERSUS INTRAVENOUS MIDAZOLAM IN PROLONGING SPINAL ANAESTHESIA WITH ROPIVACAINE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spinal anaesthesia is the preferred choice of anaesthesia for the surgery below the umbilicus mainly due to easy of administration, rapid onset, efficient sensory and motor blockage, minimal cost and safety AIMS: The study's aim is to examine the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine against midazolam on motor and sensory block duration, as well as analgesia, in patients having lower abdomen and lower extremities procedures using intrathecal ropivacaine anaesthesia. MATERIALS & METHODS: Cross section analytical study conducted for a time period of 1 year 5 months from January 2020 to May 2021. XIX RESULTS: A total of 70 participants were listed in the study. The mean age (years)in the dexmedetomidine and midazolam group were identified as 45.17 ± 15.23 and 45.86 ± 15.9 respectively. The average onset of sensory block was identified as 3 (2 to 4) and 4 (3 to 4) in the dexmedetomidine and midazolam group. Whereas, the average onset of motor block was identified as 9 (8 to 9) and 8 (8 to 9) in the dexmedetomidine and midazolam group. Duration of analgesia (mins) was high in the dexmedetomidine group with 173.89 ± 14.81 as compared to the midazolam group with 142.83 ± 17.31. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that intravenously administered dexmedetomidine and midazolam may both prolong the duration of sensory and motor blockade, but dexmedetomidine has a longer duration of analgesia than midazolam. As a result, we recommended it for use under spinal anaesthesia, albeit heart rate should be closely monitored.