EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE INTRAVENOUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE ON RECOVERY FROM GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of low-dose dexmedetomidine versus normal saline on the basis of the frequency of cough and poor Steward recovery score.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we included 60 patients who were planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The patients were recruited from February 2023 to August 2023 from the general surgery unit of Services Hospital Lahore. Group D received an intravenous administration of 0.3 µg/kg dexmedetomidine, diluted in a 20 ml syringe and infused over 10 minutes following the induction of anesthesia. Meanwhile, Group NS was administered 20 ml of normal saline over the same time frame. Incidence of cough and poor steward recovery score was noted after extubation.

Results: In the study, the participants had an average age of 34.8 (±7.67) years. The gender distribution included 28 (46.7%) males and 32 (53.3%) females. In terms of cough incidence, Group D reported 6 cases (20.0%), while Group N had a considerably higher incidence, with 19 cases (63.3%) (P-value <0.0001). Additionally, when assessing the Poor Steward Recovery Score, Group D had 11 participants (36.7%) with a poor score compared to 21 participants (70%) in Group N (P-value 0.019).

Conclusion: Low-dose dexmedetomidine (0.3 µg/Kg) after induction of anesthesia is effective in reducing the incidence of cough and improving the steward recovery score after extubation.