Subarachnoid versus intravenous dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for minimizing stress response in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background
The magnitude of stress response depends on several factors such as duration and intensity of surgical trauma, patient's age, surgical method, anesthetic technique, blood loss, and postoperative pain.
Aim of the work
The aim of this work was to study the effect of intravenous versus intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on stress response during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Patients and methods
Sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria who were undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous fentanyl and dexmedetomidine (group I) or intrathecal fentanyl and dexmedetomidine (group II). Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction of anesthesia (T0), 5 min after intubation (T1), 30 min after start of surgery (T2), at skin closure (T3), 6 h postoperatively (T4), and 24 h postoperatively (T5). The number of patients who required intraoperative intravenous fentanyl and total intraoperative fentanyl consumption (µg), and the number of patients who required intravenous morphine at the end of surgery were recorded. Visual analogue scale and total postoperative morphine consumption (mg) at the end of surgery (M0), and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (M1, M2, M3, and M4, respectively) were recorded. Blood interleukin-6, cortisol, and glucose were measured before anesthesia (F0) and after recovery (F1). Postoperative complications were recorded.
Results
Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were statistically lower in group II at T2 and T3. The number of patients requiring intraoperative intravenous fentanyl and total intraoperative fentanyl consumption (µg), and the number of patients requiring intravenous morphine at the end of surgery were statistically lower in group II. Visual analogue scale and postoperative morphine consumption (mg) were statistically lower in group II at M0 and M1. Blood cortisol and blood glucose level were statistically lower in group II at F1. There were no statistical differences as regards complications.
Conclusion
Apart from lowering heart rate and BP, intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl was superior to intravenous dexmedetomidine and fentanyl, wherein it lowered pain score and analgesic consumption with attenuation of stress response.