A Comparative Study of Epidural Ropivacaine with Dexmedetomidine 1 µg/Kg and Ropivacaine with Clonidine 1µg/Kg by Epidural Route in Patients Undergoing Lower Abdominal and Lower Limb Surgery

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as adjuvants to Ropivacaine in the context of epidural anesthesia for procedures involving the lower abdomen and lower limbs. A total of Sixty patients with ASA I and II who were scheduled for lower limb and abdominal procedures under epidural anesthesia was included in the study. A pre-anesthetic checkup is performed one day before the procedure. Patients were screened for systemic illnesses, and laboratory tests were performed. The process for epidural anesthesia was described to the patients, and a signed agreement was acquired. Patients were randomized into two groups using computer-generated numbers: ropivacaine along with clonidine (RC) and ropivacaine along with dexmedetomidine (RD). Both the Ropivacaine and Clonidine and Ropivacaine and Dexmedetomidine groups differed significantly in the time it took for sensory and motor blockade to take effect. It follows that a synergistic effect of deep and persistent motor blockade, prolonged duration of sensory blockade, and effective sedation may be achieved when Ropivacaine and Dexmedetomidine are administered epidurally together. The dexmedetomidine group did have more severe but manageable side effects. As a result, ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine has the potential to be an effective and safe epidural blocking agent for procedures involving the lower abdomen and leg surgeries.