ORIGINAL ARTICLE


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10045-00132
The Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 5 | Issue 4 | Year 2019

A Comparative Study between Propofol and Dexmedetomidine for Hypotensive Anesthesia in ENT Surgeries in Indian Phenotype


Rajashree Deelip Godbole1, Brishnik Bhattacharya2, Tehzeebunnisa Saleem3, Siddhesh Patil4, Rajeshkumar Resoju5, Priyanka Patil6

1–6Department of Anaesthesiology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Corresponding Author: Rajashree Deelip Godbole, Department of Anaesthesiology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, Phone: +91 9822049748, e-mail: rajashree.godbole@gmail.com

How to cite this article Godbole RD, Bhattacharya B, Saleem T, et al. A Comparative Study between Propofol and Dexmedetomidine for Hypotensive Anesthesia in ENT Surgeries in Indian Phenotype. J Med Sci 2019;5(4):81–87.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and propofol for hypotensive anesthesia in ENT surgeries in Indian phenotype.

Materials and methods: A prospective, randomized, comparative study. The study population of 72 patients of Indian phenotype were randomly taken from random number table and divided into two groups with 36 patients in each group. Group D = dexmedetomidine (dexmedetomidine loading dose of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine diluted in 10 mL 0.9% saline infused over 10 minutes before induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour). Group P = propofol group (maintenance dose 100–150 μg/kg/hour). The infusions were titrated to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 55 and 65 mm Hg and hemodynamic stability.

Results: In our study, we did not have hypotension or bradycardia that needed treatment. The heart rate and blood pressure were on the lower side in group D compared to group P. The awakening time was significantly short in group D than group P. The average doses of dexmedetomidine around 0.2 ± 0.04 μg/kg/hour and propofol around 140 ± 41 μg/kg/hour which are at the lowest end of the recommended doses of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour and 100–300 μg/kg/hour for hypotensive anesthesia. These low doses may be the cause of no complications in the Indian population.

Conclusion: In our comparative study done in Indian population, we observed that both dexmedetomidine and propofol have achieved desired hypotension in patients undergoing ENT surgeries to improve the operative field visibility by reducing the blood loss. Although achieved reduction in MAP was statistically nonsignificant, MAP was lower in dexmedetomidine than propofol. A significantly higher Ramsay sedation score in propofol group is suggestive of greater degree of sedation than dexmedetomidine, making it a better choice for hypotensive anesthesia.

Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, ENT surgeries, Hypotensive anesthesia, Propofol..

INTRODUCTION

Controlled hypotension during surgery—hypotensive anesthesia—is widely practiced and considered suitable for various surgeries including maxillofacial surgeries. Hypotensive anesthesia limits the blood loss during surgery and facilitates speed of surgery by making the surgical field bloodless. Maintaining normal blood pressure (BP) during any surgery is an index of skillful anesthesia, as the organ perfusion is preserved between the normal BP limits. Achieving optimum hypotension is a skill, as excess lowering of BP may be hazardous due to the reduced perfusion to essential organs such as brain, heart, and kidneys. Reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 30% is considered adequate. This results in systolic BP of 80–90 mm Hg and MAP of 50–65 mm Hg. Surgeries of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) pose great challenges for surgeons as well as for the anesthesiologists due to dense vascularity of the region, repeated infections leading to fibrosis, increased blood loss during surgery, and limited operative field. Nowadays, endoscopic sinus surgeries and microscopic surgeries are demanding controlled hypotensive anesthesia, and so it is the need of the time.

For achieving controlled hypotension, certain characteristics are desired in the agent used for the purpose. The ideal agent should have ease of administration, short onset time, an effect that disappears quickly on discontinuation, rapid elimination without toxic metabolites, negligible or no effects on vital organs, and predictable and dose-dependent effects.1,2

Various agents such as inhalational anesthetics, β-blockers, nitroglycerine, sodium nitroprusside, and magnesium sulfate are routinely used. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 agonist. It acts on α2A and imidazoline type I receptors. Alpha-2 receptors regulate the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems. They are located in the blood vessels, where they cause vasoconstriction and in the sympathetic terminal where they inhibit norepinephrine release. This ultimately leads to fall in BP and heart rate (HR). Dexmedetomidine is equally useful for controlled hypotension.3 Dexmedetomidine has got inherent analgesic, sedative, and anesthetic-sparing properties that avoid use of multiple drugs.4,5 Dexmedetomidine exerts sedative and analgesic-sparing effect through central locus ceruleus and in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.6

Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic agent useful for controlled hypotension. It is associated with positive influence on the inhibitory function of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) through GABA-A receptors.7,8 Propofol has negative inotropic effect through inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve activity. It has got anti-emetic, antipruritic, and anticonvulsant activity. Complete awakening without residual central nervous system effects has made it popular for day care surgery. The use of propofol infusion for deliberate hypotension is associated with improved quality of surgical field in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).9

In a randomized study in Iranian patients undergoing FESS by Moshiri et al., propofol and dexmedetomidine were reported to be equally effective in reduction of bleeding and achieving appropriate surgical field.10 Shah et al. and Rupa Kumari et al. reported similar outcomes with both agents in FESS in Indian population.11,12 Verma et al. reported that propofol was associated with greater requirement of rescue analgesia and poor patient satisfaction than dexmedetomidine in middle ear surgeries.13

We performed this comparative study to explore and understand the efficacy and safety of both agents for controlled hypotension in ENT surgeries and to find out the minimum effective dose of infusion for controlled hypotension in Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Design

A prospective, randomized, and comparative study.

Study Population and Sample Size

The study population of 72 patients of Indian phenotype were randomly taken from random number table and divided into two groups with 36 patients in each group.

  • Group D = dexmedetomidine (dexmedetomidine loading dose of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine diluted in 10 mL 0.9% saline infused over 10 minutes before induction of anesthesia, followed by continuous infusion of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour)
  • Group P = propofol group (maintenance dose 100–150 μg/kg/hour)

Inclusion Criteria

Normal adult patients of either sex, age-group between 18 years and 55 years, and patients with ASA physical status I or II undergoing ENT surgeries.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who are not willing to give consent for participation in the study; pregnant females; patients with hypertension, coronary artery diseases, and renal, hepatic, or cerebral insufficiency; patients taking β-blockers; patients with coagulopathies or receiving drugs influencing blood coagulation; and patients with known allergy to either drug.

Methodology

The data were collected in a pretested proforma meeting the objectives of the study after obtaining approval from the institutional ethical committee and informed written consent from the patient. The study population was divided into two groups as mentioned.

Materials and Methods

Surgical procedures included in this study are tympanoplasty, chronic suppurative otitis media, dacrocystitis, stapedectomy, FESS, recurrent polyposis, deviated nasal septum, myringoplasty, etc.

Preoperative Assessment

Preanesthetic evaluation was done on the evening before surgery, and written informed consent was taken and patient was kept nil orally 6 hours prior to surgery. On the day of the surgery, patients were connected to multiparameter monitor for monitoring pulse, SpO2, ECG, NIBP, ETCO2, and temperature in the operation theater. Intravenous line was secured with no. 20 intravenous cannula. Baseline BP and HR were recorded.

Premedication

All patients in both the groups were premedicated with Inj Midazolam 0.05 mg/kg IV, Inj Fentanyl 2 μg/kg, IV, and ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg IV. Anesthesia was induced with Inj thiopentone 5 mg/kg until loss of verbal response. Endotracheal intubation was facilitated with Inj.Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg with suitable sized cuffed endotracheal tube. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide, and sevoflurane 1% in all the patients. In group D, anesthesia was maintained with dexmedetomidine infusion starting with 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour and in group P 150 μg/kg/hour initially which was titrated to maintain MAP between 55 and 65 mm Hg with stable hemodynamics. All the patients were put in 15°–20° head high position. The patients were covered with warm air blanket to maintain body temperature.

In both the groups, cotton pledgets soaked with epinephrine in a concentration of 1:80.000 was inserted into the nasal cavity and in-between the polyps to minimize blood loss. The infusion of hypotensive agent was stopped 10 minutes before end of the surgery, and patients were reversed with neostigmine and glycopyrrolate at the end with good respiratory efforts in all the cases. Extubation was done when the patients were awake and following commands.

Parameters to be Observed

Systolic BP, diastolic BP, MAP, and HR. Hemodynamics were recorded preoperatively (baseline) postinduction (after administration of hypotensive and anesthetic agent) every 5 minutes intraoperatively, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes after stoppage of hypotensive agents and lastly after recovery. Ramsey Sedation score was measured using the following scale at 30 minutes after tracheal extubation.

Ramsay Sedation Score

  • Anxious, agitated, or restless
  • Cooperative, oriented, and tranquil
  • Responsive to commands
  • Asleep, but with brisk response to light, glabellar tap, or loud auditory stimulus
  • Asleep, sluggish response to glabellar tap, or auditory stimulus; and
  • Asleep, no response. Patients will also be asked about recalling of intraoperative events or any sign of awareness.

Statistical Methods

Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out to explore the distributions of several characteristics of the cases studied. Results on categorical data are shown as n (% of cases), and the results on quantitative variables are shown as mean ± standard deviation across two intervention groups. The statistical significance of difference in various qualitative responses was tested using chi-square test for independence of attributes or Fisher’s exact probability test. For comparing quantitative variables across two intervention groups, independent sample t test was used after confirming the underlying normality assumption. p values %3C;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The entire statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 11.5, Chicago, IL) for MS Windows.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the HR at different time periods of assessments during surgery. Baseline HR in groups D and P was 86.89 ± 12.09 and 84.86 ± 12.14 beats per minutes, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p value = 0.480). Thereafter, it did not differ significantly at different timelines of 5 minutes interval till 80 minutes. At 80 minutes (p value = 0.043), 85 minutes (p value = 0.010), 90 minutes (p value = 0.027), and 95 minutes (p value = 0.025), HR was significantly higher in group B than group A. At 110 minutes also, HR was significantly higher in group B (p value = 0.024).

Table 2 shows the means of MAP changes in two groups at different time periods during surgery. MAP was not significantly different from baseline to all time periods of assessment in two groups except at 95 minutes of surgery, where MAP was significantly higher in group P than D (77.11 ± 11.16 vs. 70.37 ± 11.88, p value = 0.030). At further time periods of assessment, there were no significant differences in DBP in two groups, although it was relatively on higher side in group B.

Average infusion rate was 12.11 ± 3.46 μg/hour in group D, whereas it was 88.33 ± 30.61 mg/hour in group P as shown in Table 3.

Table 1: Comparison of heart rate in two groups at different timelines
TimelinesN group D/PGroup DGroup Pp value
Baseline36/3686.89 ± 12.0984.86 ± 12.140.480
5 minutes36/3679.58 ± 10.9783.22 ± 13.730.218
10 minutes36/3674.97 ± 12.8878.08 ± 12.610.304
15 minutes36/3672.94 ± 13.1275.69 ± 13.470.383
20 minutes36/3671.56 ± 10.7673.19 ± 12.690.557
25 minutes36/3670.08 ± 9.8671.44 ± 11.420.590
30 minutes36/3668.06 ± 8.9570.94 ± 10.490.213
35 minutes36/3667.50 ± 8.4769.72 ± 9.930.311
40 minutes36/3666.31 ± 8.6869.19 ± 9.120.173
45 minutes36/3666.33 ± 8.8868.67 ± 8.320.254
50 minutes36/3664.94 ± 7.7167.53 ± 8.010.168
55 minutes36/3665.11 ± 7.0067.78 ± 8.350.147
60 minutes36/3665.83 ± 7.1268.53 ± 7.890.133
65 minutes36/3665.92 ± 7.7968.83 ± 8.080.124
70 minutes36/3666.14 ± 8.3969.00 ± 8.560.157
75 minutes36/3666.58 ± 8.1969.67 ± 9.030.134
80 minutes35/3666.91 ± 7.4471.25 ± 10.010.043
85 minutes35/3468.00 ± 8.0373.62 ± 9.620.010
90 minutes33/3168.76 ± 8.7074.29 ± 10.740.027
95 minutes30/2868.07 ± 8.8174.29 ± 11.590.025
100 minutes28/2167.93 ± 16.4672.76 ± 11.170.252
105 minutes28/1971.89 ± 12.0476.74 ± 12.050.183
110 minutes24/1669.33 ± 8.9777.63 ± 13.410.024
115 minutes21/1371.19 ± 9.5478.62 ± 13.450.069
120 minutes20/1074.40 ± 8.7979.20 ± 17.000.313
125 minutes15/672.53 ± 9.0482.50 ± 20.710.133
130 minutes11/571.73 ± 9.0089.80 ± 25.980.053
135 minutes10/371.80 ± 10.9484.00 ± 17.080.160
140 minutes9/272.78 ± 12.0394.00 ± 11.310.049
145 minutes8/273.88 ± 12.2895.50 ± 7.770.049
150 minutes7/177.14 ± 14.34102.000.156
155 minutes6/078.50 ± 16.380
160 minutes4/077.50 ± 19.070
165 minutes4/086.50 ± 33.480
170 minutes3/072.00 ± 15.100
175 minutes2/074.50 ± 21.920
180 minutes1/068.000
185 minutes1/0103.000
Table 2: Comparison of mean arterial pressure in two groups at different timelines
TimelinesN group D/PGroup DGroup Pp value
Baseline36/3697.47 ± 13.0593.42 ± 10.870.157
5 minutes36/3687.25 ± 15.6886.69 ± 15.820.882
10 minutes36/3675.64 ± 14.4880.69 ± 14.610.145
15 minutes36/3674.47 ± 17.4373.75 ± 11.200.835
20 minutes36/3671.58 ± 13.7368.39 ± 7.590.226
25 minutes36/3669.78 ± 11.6166.94 ± 8.600.244
30 minutes36/3666.56 ± 8.9465.28 ± 6.630.493
35 minutes36/3665.39 ± 8.1364.75 ± 6.790.719
40 minutes36/3664.06 ± 6.7563.89 ± 8.010.924
45 minutes36/3664.36 ± 6.9963.17 ± 6.740.463
50 minutes36/3663.50 ± 7.5463.50 ± 7.221.000
55 minutes36/3663.94 ± 7.0563.44 ± 7.220.767
60 minutes36/3664.86 ± 6.7464.42 ± 8.970.813
65 minutes36/3664.81 ± 7.0165.81 ± 10.990.647
70 minutes36/3665.64 ± 8.4366.75 ± 9.050.592
75 minutes36/3666.08 ± 8.6368.72 ± 9.870.231
80 minutes35/3667.63 ± 8.1369.78 ± 10.530.340
85 minutes35/3469.31 ± 10.0472.79 ± 9.850.151
90 minutes33/3170.55 ± 13.4876.00 ± 12.000.093
95 minutes30/2870.37 ± 11.8877.11 ± 11.160.030
100 minutes28/2171.30 ± 9.8474.90 ± 12.310.265
105 minutes28/1972.30 ± 10.6278.95 ± 12.570.059
110 minutes24/1672.54 ± 12.4380.88 ± 13.450.052
115 minutes21/1374.05 ± 10.9982.69 ± 18.720.098
120 minutes20/1070.70 ± 11.7880.50 ± 10.770.400
125 minutes15/673.93 ± 9.9176.00 ± 9.630.669
130 minutes11/572.00 ± 10.9077.20 ± 10.280.384
135 minutes10/372.80 ± 11.9085.33 ± 14.840.156
140 minutes9/274.56 ± 12.1688.00 ± 1.410.168
145 minutes8/276.63 ± 12.4478.000.920
150 minutes7/179.86 ± 12.1580.000.992
155 minutes6/081.50 ± 11.500
160 minutes4/089.75 ± 22.020
165 minutes4/088.50 ± 15.920
170 minutes3/078.67 ± 12.660
175 minutes2/072.00 ± 1.410
180 minutes1/056.00
185 minutes1/080.00
Table 3: Comparison of initial and average infusion rate in two groups
Infusion rateGroup DGroup P
Initial17.44 ± 5.05 μg/hour129.17 ± 39.08 mg/hour
Average12.11 ± 3.46 μg/hour88.33 ± 30.61 mg/hour
Table 4: Comparison of Ramsay sedation score in two groups
ParameterGroup DGroup Pp value
Ramsay sedation score2.19 ± 0.403.06 ± 0.67<0.0001

Mean Ramsay sedation score was 2.19 ± 0.40 in group D patients which was significantly lower (p value <0.0001) when compared to group P score which was 3.06 ± 0.67 as shown in Table 4.

Table 5: Postoperative awake time in two groups
ParameterGroup DGroup Pp value
Post-op awake time (min)16.42 ± 4.4020.33 ± 4.810.001

In our study, postoperative awakening time is the time from stopping of hypotensive agent infusion for awakening of patient after reversal of neuromuscular blockade.

Table 5 shows that postoperative awake time was significantly less in group D than group P (16.42 ± 4.40 vs 20.33 ± 4.81 respectively, p value = 0.001)

DISCUSSION

The deliberate reduction of blood pressure in an attempt to reduce intraoperative blood loss has generated controversy since its clinical introduction.14 However, nowadays the technique is used routinely in various surgeries including those of ENT.14,15 In our study, we compared dexmedetomidine and propofol for achieving controlled hypotension in ENT surgeries.

In our study, there is no significant difference in the two groups in mean age (p value = 0.662) and gender (p value = 0.346). Similar studies by Shah and Kulkarni11 and Moshiri et al.10 reported no significant difference in mean age and gender in the two groups. There is no significant difference in BMI in the two groups in our study. Verma et al.13 and Shah and Kulkarni11 also reported no significant difference in BMI in their studies. In group D, there was decrease in the HR during and after the intravenous bolus dose of dexmedetomidine with rise in BP which settled down within 10 minutes after induction and starting infusion. The transient hypertensive response is due to the initial stimulation of α-2B receptors in the vascular smooth muscles. The bradycardia is attributed to reflex response for the transient hypertension. This hypertensive episode settles down with the decrease in the central sympathetic outflow. The subsequent decrease in the HR is also because of decreased central sympathetic outflow.16 The HR was lower in both the groups when compared to the baseline HR. There was no statistical difference in HR until 80 minutes after induction. Thereafter, transient increase in HR was observed in propofol group. There were no statistically significant differences in mean HR in the two groups intraoperatively, but the HR was lower in group D than group P. Shah and Kulkarni have reported statistically significant lowering in the HR in both the groups from 4 minutes after induction.11 There were no cases of bradycardia in both the groups in our study, but it has been reported in some studies.10,11,17 Moshiri et al. reported significant decrease in HR in both the groups with significant lowering in propofol group.10

Mean SBP, DBP, and MAP at baseline did not differ in both the groups. Five minutes after starting the infusion SBP, DBP and MAP started reducing and settled down in the desired range. There was no statistically significant difference in SBP, DBP, and MAP in both the groups, although all the pressures were high in the propofol group. Varma et al. reported significant lowering in MAP in the propofol group. They found hypotension in 2 cases of dexmedetomidine group and 10 cases in propofol group which was treated with intravenous fluids.13 Shah and Kulkarni reported statistically significant lowering in MAP in the dexmedetomidine group. Three patients in dexmedetomidine and 2 in propofol group developed hypotension.11 Moshiri et al. reported no statistically significant difference in MAP in both the groups.10

In our study, we started dexmedetomidine infusion at the rate of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour after the bolus of 1 μg/kg diluted in saline which was given over 10 minutes before induction. Then, the rate of infusion was titrated to achieve the desired level of MAP between 55 and 65 mm Hg with stable hemodynamics. The average infusion rate of dexmedetomidine in our study was 12.11 ± 3.46 μg/hour that is 0.2 ± 0.04 μg/kg/hour which is at the lowest of the recommended range of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour. The average infusion rate of propofol was 88.33 ± 30.61 mg/hour which comes to around 140 ± 42 μg/kg/hour.

Verma et al. compared dexmedetomidine and propofol for middle ear surgeries done under local anesthesia and sedation. They used 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine bolus followed by 0.4 μg/kg/hour infusion. Propofol 75 μg/kg/minute bolus was followed by 50 μg/kg/minute infusion. The surgical field and hemodynamic stability were good in the dexmedetomidine group.13 Moshiri et al. compared dexmedetomidine and propofol for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg bolus was followed by 0.4–0.8 μg/kg/hour infusion. Propofol infusion was used in the dose of 50–150 μg/kg/minute. They reported comparable MAP and surgical field in both the groups.10 Shah et al. compared dexmedetomidine and propofol for FESS. They used dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/hour infusion and propofol 100 μg/kg/hour infusion. They reported good surgical field, less blood loss, and better control of HR in dexmedetomidine group.11 Farah Nasreen et al. used dexmedetomidine for middle ear surgeries with 1 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.4 μg/kg/hour infusion. They did not report HR less than 50/minute or hypotension, where anticholinergic drugs or vasopressors were required.18

Neamat et al. used two different doses of dexmedetomidine for hypotensive anesthesia during FESS. They gave 1 μg/kg bolus in both the groups followed by 0.4 μg/kg/hour infusion in one group and 0.8 μg/kg infusion in the other group. They reported best hemodynamic stability in 0.8 μg/kg/hour dexmedetomidine infusion group.19 Bharathwaj et al. compared dexmedetomidine and propofol for FESS. They used dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.3 μg/kg/hour infusion and propofol 12 mg/kg/hour for first 10 minutes, 10 mg/kg/hour for next 10 minutes, and 8 mg/kg/hour for rest of the surgery. They reported both drugs to be good and efficacious and both provide ideal surgical conditions and hemodynamic stability with hypotensive anesthesia and reduced blood loss during surgery. Dexmedetomidine is comparatively better in controlling HR, BP, and blood loss.20 Rayan et al. used dexmedetomidine for FESS. They used new protocol. They used dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour infusion in group I and 1 μg/kg bolus followed by 1/4 dose of the bolus as bolus doses over 2 minutes to maintain MAP between 65 and 70 mm Hg in the second group. In the second group consumption of dexmedetomidine was less, and the emergence time was 5.34 minutes compared to 9.45 minutes in the first group and modified Aldrete score was good.21 Das et al. compared dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg bolus and clonidine 1.5 μg/kg bolus preoperatively for hypotensive anesthesia in FESS surgeries. They reported hypotension and bradycardia in clonidine group and better hemodynamic stability in dexmedetomidine group.22

Rehab S EI-Kalla et al. compared dexmedetomidine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) for hypotensive anesthesia in maxillofacial surgeries. They used dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.2–0.5 μg/kg/hour infusion and SNP 0.25 mg/kg/minute infusion. They reported dexmedetomidine to be a better drug for hemodynamic stability.23Gupta et al. used dexmedetomidine infusion 0.5 μg/kg/hour for hypotensive anesthesia in middle ear surgeries. No bolus dose was used. They reported good surgical field with dexmedetomidine.24

Shams et al. compared esmolol 1 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.4–0.8 mg/kg/hour and dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg bolus followed by 0.4–0.8 μg/kg/hour infusion for inducing hypotensive anesthesia for FESS. They reported both the agents to be safe and effective hypotensive agents. Dexmedetomidine has inherent analgesic, anesthetic-sparing, and sedative properties. Emergence time was long in dexmedetomidine group compared to esmolol group.25

The postoperative awakening time, that is the time from switching off the drug infusion to emergence from anesthesia and extubation in our study, is 16.42 ± 4.40 minutes in dexmedetomidine group and 20.33 ± 4.81 minutes in propofol group. We have switched off the infusion 10 minutes before the end of surgery in all our patients. So, the emergence time in group D is 6.42 ± 4.40 minutes and 10.33 ± 4.81 minutes. Thus, the postoperative awakening time is significantly less in group D than group P (p value = 0.001). In a study, awakening time was 9.1 ± 2.7 minutes.17 Rayan et al. have reported the emergence time of 9.45 minutes in dexmedetomidine infusion group and 5.34 minutes in the group in which dexmedetomidine boluses were used. The short emergence time in our study might be due to lower average dose of dexmedetomidine and propofol in the Indian population.

Ramsay sedation score achieved in group D was significantly lower than group P ( 2.19 ± 0.40 vs 3.06 ± 0.67, p value < 0.0001). This score precisely provides the level of consciousness during titration of sedative medication.26 A lower score in dexmedetomidine group suggests that patients were not under deep sedation compared to propofol which helps in early postoperative recovery. This is supported by longer postoperative awakening time in propofol group. Farah Nasreen et al. have also used Ramsay sedation scale in their study. Ramsay sedation score was high in 0.8 μg/kg/hour dexmedetomidine group compared to 0.4 μg/kg/hour group.17 Moshiri et al. reported no significant difference in time to extubation or recovery in either groups.10

In our study, we did not have hypotension or bradycardia which needed treatment. The HR and and BP were on the lower side in group D compared to group P. The awakening time was significantly short in group D than group P. No patient from both the groups had nausea and vomiting. The postoperative analgesic requirements were less in group D. The average doses of dexmedetomidine around 0.2 ± 0.04 μg/kg/hour and propofol around 140 ± 41 μg/kg/hour which are at the lowest end of the recommended doses of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/hour and 100–300 μg/kg/hour for hypotensive anesthesia.4,27 These low doses may be the cause of no complications in the Indian population in our study.

CONCLUSION

As per our study design, both dexmedetomidine and propofol could achieve desired hypotension without any complications in patients undergoing ENT surgeries with submaximal doses in the Indian population. We did not have any complications because of the collective effects of upper head tilt position, use of fentanyl, sevoflurane, and infusion of submaximal doses of dexmedetomidine or propofol. We feel dexmedetomidine is better drug in maintaining hemodynamic stability than propofol during hypotensive anesthesia in ENT surgeries. The lower Ramsay score in dexmedetomidine group suggests fast emergence from anesthesia and early postoperative recovery. As per our study design, dexmedetomidine is a better drug for hypotensive anesthesia per the surgeon’s satisfaction owing to good surgical field and less blood loss.

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