Randomized Controlled Trial Using Ropivacaine in Spinal Anesthesia with and without Intravenous Dexmedetomidine in Lower Limb Surgeries

Background: hyperbaric bupivacaine is commonly used in regional anesthesia, especially for the subarachnoid blockade. Several studies demonstrated the efficacy of ropivacaine in different regional anesthesia techniques. Dexmedetomidine has been studied and shown to have synergism local anesthetics. In this study, we aimed to find the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in improving the analgesia quality and duration of the subarachnoid blockade in our hospital scenario. Materials and Methods: One hundred adult patients were divided into two groups of 50 each. Group A received 3 mL of 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine. Group B received 3 mL 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine was used for spinal anesthesia followed by a loading dose of IV dexmedetomidine. Group A received isotonic saline infusion. Results: The duration of the motor block in group A was 139.38±21.22 minutes vs.179.13±31.18 minutes in group B (P<0.05). Duration of the sensory block in group A was 156.79 ± 33.00 minutes vs. 208.13±48.32 minutes in group B (P<0.05), and the duration of the analgesia in group A was 168.69 ± 41.18 minutes vs. 278.57±34.65 minutes in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion: The use of IV dexmedetomidine improves analgesia quality and prolongs anesthesia duration in the subarachnoid block with 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine without any hemodynamic instability and with adequate sedation.