Comparative Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine on Propofol Consumption, Haemodynamics and Postoperative Recovery in Laparoscopic Surgeries: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomised Study

Background and Aims: Laparoscopic surgery is associated with significant haemodynamic changes due to pneumoperitoneum formation. Various studies have demonstrated that α2 adrenergic agonists, such as clonidine and dexmedetomidine, prevent the haemodynamic response due to pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 104 female patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomies were divided into three groups at random. Group D patients were administered a loading dose of 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine prior to induction over a period of 15 minutes and a maintenance dose of 0.5 μg/kg/h during the surgical procedure. Group CL patients were given a loading dose of 2 μg/kg of clonidine before induction over a period of 15 minutes and a maintenance dose of 1 μg/kg/h during the surgery. Group C received same volume of normal saline over same duration and maintenance infusion throughout the surgery. The primary outcome was the haemodynamic changes at different time interval. The secondary outcome was the response to verbal commands, extubation time and orientation time. Results: There was no significant difference in heart rate and blood pressure values between group D and group CL during whole study period. Whereas in group C, there was a statistically significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure after intubation and during pneumoperitoneum period ( P < 0.05). Extubation time and orientation time were significantly delayed in group D and group CL when compared with group C and D ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Clonidine or dexmedetomidine effectively attenuates the haemodynamic changes in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomies compared to the control group.