Comparison of two different doses of dexmedetomidine (0.25 mcg/kg and 0.5 mcg/kg) in prolonging duration of spinal anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing trans urethral resection of prostate: a prospective randomized double blinded study

Background: Trans urethral resection of prostate (TURP) under spinal anaesthesia (SAB) in elderly with associated cardio-pulmonary, endocrine or other co-morbidities induces detrimental physiological and psychological stress response to surgery and anaesthesia. Proper sedation during spinal anaesthesia can reduces this response. Aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of spinal block, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative analgesia, following administration of intravenous DMT (0.25 mcg/kg and 0.5 mcg/kg) in elderly patients undergoing TURP under SAB.Methods: Sixty-eight patients were randomly allocated to two groups of 34 patients each. After giving spinal anaesthesia patients received two different doses of dexmedetomidine intravenously; 0.25 mcg/kg (Group D25) and 0.50 mcg/kg (Group D50) respectively. Drugs were given slowly in dilution of 10ml normal saline. Patients were monitored for intraoperative haemodynamics, sensory and motor block characteristics and postoperative analgesia in terms of VAS (visual analogue scale) and first and total dose of rescue analgesic.Results: Mean value of lowest HR in Group D50 and D 25 was comparable (p=0.11) and time taken to achieve lowest HR was also comparable (p=0.13). Mean value of lowest SBP, DBP and MAP were lower in Group D50 than in Group D25 but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.52,0.95 and 0.41 respectively). Onset of sensory block was comparable between the two groups, p=0.62. Maximum sensory block was achieved significantly earlier in Group D50 (10.64±2.75 min versus 12.94±3.04 min in Group D25), p=0.0012. Group D50 patients achieved Bromage score 3 earlier (10.735±1.797 min) than group D25 (12.794±2.52 min) (p=0.00). Recovery from motor block was found earlier in Group D25 group (141.325±4.97 mins) compared to Group D50 (154.41±8.143 mins). Group D50 reported significantly higher sedation than group D25 (p=0.00). Group D25 reported more pain at 4 hours compared to Group D50 (VAS -4.705±0.462 versus 2.588±1.478). Time of requirement of first rescue analgesia was delayed in Group D50 (270.59±50.78 mins) than in Group D25 (172.50±10.46 mins), p=0.000.Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is effective in relieving anxiety in elderly patients undergoing TURP under spinal anaesthesia. Dose of 0.50 mcg/kg is more effective than 0.25 mcg/kg without increasing the risk of adverse effect.

Tranexamic acid: Beware of anaesthetic misadventures

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that is commonly used in cardiac, gynecologic, and obstetric surgeries. Inadvertent intrathecal injection of the TXA may lead to serious side effects, including back pain, myoclonus, seizure, and ventricular fibrillation that can be attributed to similar appearance of ampoules, location of ampoules, and incorrect labeling of prefilled syringes and can be avoided by vigilance, correct labeling of syringes and ampoules, double checking medications prior to administration, and preventing manufacturing of vials of different drugs with similar appearance. Treatment of intrathecal injection of the TXA includes administration of the anticonvulsants, general anaesthetics, MgSO4, along with intensive haemodynamic monitoring, scalp electroencephalography monitoring guided burst suppression with thiopentone infusion and cerebrospinal fluid lavage

Peri-operative management of severe pre-eclampsia with kyphoscoliosis and poliomyelitis for emergency caesarean section

A 37 years old primigravida, 31 weeks gestation with severe preeclampsia [BP = 180/120 mm Hg] with severe kyphoscoliosis and polio affecting right lower limb was admitted in emergency with complaint of blurring of vision and pedal edema. An emergency caesarean section was conducted under general anaesthesia because of a failed spinal anaesthesia. Perioperative anaesthetic management and her postoperative course are discussed