Evaluation of Postoperative Analgesia on Addition of Dexmedetomidine to Ropivacaine 0.2% in Femoral Nerve Block in Patients undergoing Open Knee Surgery-A Randomised Single Blinded Study

Introduction: Femoral Nerve Block (FNB) renders marked postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing knee surgery and use of adjuvant to Local Anaesthetic (LA) agent is more advantageous in lengthening duration of sensory effect of block.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of addition of dexmedetomidine to 0.2% Ropivacaine in FNB.

Materials and Methods: The randomised clinical trial was conducted at Medical College and SSG Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, India which included 60 patients of either sex, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Grade-I,II,III posted for open knee surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups-Group RD patients received 0.2% ropivacaine 20 milliliter (mL) with dexmedetomidine 2 mL (50 μg) and Group R received 0.2% ropivacaine 20 mL with normal saline 2 mL for FNB. Duration of postoperative analgesia, total requirement of systemic rescue analgesic in 24 hours, vital parameters and complications were observed. Statistical analysis was done with Medcalc 14.8.1 statistical software. A p<0.05 considered as significant.

Result: Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group RD (484±26.98 min) than in Group R (338±29.40 min), p<0.0001. Mean postoperative cumulative requirement of analgesic (Tramadol) was lesser in Group RD (207±25 milligram (mg)) than in Group R (290±30 mg), p<0.0001.

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine 0.2% for FNB significantly augments duration of analgesia and reduces requirement of systemic analgesic declining its unfavourable effect.