The role of dexmedetomidine infusion on intraoperative desflurane and fentanyl requirement in spine surgery: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

Introduction
Dexmedetomidine is a potent selective agonist of α2 adrenoceptor having sedative, amnestic, sympatholytic, and pain-relieving properties without producing significant respiratory depression and promotes hemodynamic stability when used as an adjuvant during general anesthesia.
Aim
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine infusion on desflurane consumption, intraoperative fentanyl requirement, and hemodynamic changes.
Patients and methods
Sixty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II enlisted for elective spine surgery were randomly classified into two groups: group D dexmedetomidine group received preoperative intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg over 10 min followed by 0.25 μg/kg/h (1 ml, 100 μg diluted with normal saline in 20 ml syringe) intraoperative infusion till the end of surgery and group P, the placebo group received a similar volume of normal saline. Desflurane consumption and intraoperative fentanyl requirement were recorded as well as intraoperative hemodynamic changes.
Results
Desflurane consumption and intraoperative fentanyl requirement were significantly lower in group D (<0.001) as well as there was a significant decrease in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure (<0.05) in D group
Conclusion
Dexmedetomidine infusion resulted in significant reduction of desflurane consumption and intraoperative fentanyl requirement with significant decrease in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure.