Original Research Paper

A Prospective Randomized Study To Know The Efficacy Of Dexmedetomidine As An Adjuvant To Ropivacaine In The Ultrasound-guided Pectoral Nerve Block For Post Modified Radical Mastectomy Analgesia

Abstract :

Background and Aims: Majority of patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy experience severe acute postoperative pain. Pectoral nerve block (Pecs) using local anesthetic agent is a novel analgesic technique for breast surgeries. The present study evaluates the effect of incorporation of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine on duration of analgesia and postoperative morphine consumption.Material and Methods: Sixty female patients with American Society of Anesthesiologist status I and II posted for modified radical mastectomy were enrolled and randomized into two equal groups.Group R (n = 30) received ultrasound guided Pecs block with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine. Group RD (n = 30 patients) received ultrasound guided Pecs block with 20 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% and dexmedetomidine 0.5 /kg body weight. Statistical analysis was done by using Unpaired ttest and Chisquare testResults: Total duration of analgesia (in minutes) was significantly higher in Group RD as compared to Group R (465.2 10.42 in Group RD and 311.3 16.35 in Group R) (P = 0.000). We observed significantly lesser consumption of morphine in Group RD as compared to Group R (13.86 1.8 in Group RD and 23.5 1.7 in Group R) (P = 0.000). None of our patients reported any side effects.Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine 0.5 /kg added as an adjuvant to 0.5% ropivacaine for ultrasound guided Pecs block prolongs the duration of analgesia and reduces postoperative morphine consumption.

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