April 2026, Volume 4, Issue 4

Author

Mukunthakrishnan Lingeswaran, Sharmila Shanmugam, D Dhatchinamoorthi and Jeevithan Shanmugam

Abstract

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgeries conducted under general anaesthesia are associated with peri-operative hemodynamic stress due to tracheal intubation, laryngoscopy, pneumoperitoneum, and extubation. These responses may lead to hypertension, tachycardia, and increased anaesthetic agent requirements. Dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, has been proved to attenuate the sympathetic responses and to reduce the anaesthetic requirements. Materials and Methods: This study was done after getting Institutional Ethics Committee approval and the written informed consent from all the study participants. The patients belonging to ASA physical status I and II and those who undergo the elective laparoscopic surgeries were allocated into two groups randomly: Dexmedetomidine group (DX) and Normal Saline group (NS). The DX group received dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.4 ?g/kg/hr, and the Normal Saline group received an equivalent volume of saline. Standard general anaesthesia was administered, and the bispectral index monitored the depth of anaesthesia. Results: Baseline demographic data and surgical profiles were compared between the two study groups. The dexmedetomidine group demonstrated significant reduction of blood pressure and heart rate responses during the laryngoscopy, intubation, pneumoperitoneum, and extubation compared to the other group (NS). End-tidal isoflurane concentration, isoflurane, total propofol, and fentanyl requirements were significantly lesser in the dexmedetomidine group (p < 0.001). Time of awakening was comparable between groups. Conclusion: Low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.4 ?g/kg/hr offers effective reduction of peri-operative hemodynamic stress responses during the laparoscopic surgery, which significantly lessens the anaesthetic drug and opioid requirements. It also improves the cardiovascular stability without delaying the recovery time or without increasing the adverse effects.