Abstract
Background: Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists have both analgesic and sedative properties and can be used as an effective adjuvant in epidural anaesthesia. The aim of our study to compare the efficacy and clinical profile of α-2 adrenergic agonists dexmedetomidine and clonidine, when used as adjuvants in epidural anaesthesia in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries with special emphasis on their sedative properties and ability to provide smooth intra-operative and post- operative analgesia.
 Methods: This Hospital Based, double blind, randomized, comparative, interventional Study was carried out in 60 patients undergoing infra umbilical surgeries. After obtaining permission from Institutional Ethics Committee and Research Review Board. All patients randomly allocated in two groups of 30 patients in each group. Group A patient received 15 ml 0.75 % ropivacaine + 1 microgram/kg dexmedetomidine, Group B received 15 ml 0.75 % ropivacaine + 1 microgram/kg clonidine.
 Results: The time of onset of sensory block with dexmedetomidine was earlier compared to clonidine (8.3+1.26 min versus 11.6+1.81min). Mean time to attain highest sensory level was 13.3± 1.4 minutes in group A and 17.6± 1.9 minutes in group B. Mean duration of sensory block was 306.1 ± 8.32 minutes in group A and 285.2 ± 17.4 minutes in group B. Mean time to motor onset was 17.7±3.3 minutes in group A and 18.8±2.9 minutes in group B. Mean duration of motor block was 241.1 ± 4.81 minutes in group A and 216.9± 7.17minutes in group B. There was no significant difference in VAS score till half an hour and after one hour we got significant difference in both groups.
 Conclusion: We concluded that when used with ropivacaine (0.75%) as an adjuvant dexmedetomidine (1microgram/kg) and clonidine (1microgram/kg) shortens the onset of sensory block, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and provides the effective and prolonged post operative analgesia with adequate sedation and without major adverse effects and hemodynamic changes.
 Keywords: Clonidine, dexmedetomidine, epidural, ropivacaine.
Highlights
Epidural anaesthesia is commonly used technique for providing surgical anaesthesia with post-operative analgesia in lower abdominal and limb surgeries[1]
We concluded that when used with ropivacaine (0.75%) as an adjuvant dexmedetomidine (1microgram/kg) and clonidine (1microgram/kg) shortens the onset of sensory block, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and provides the effective and prolonged post operative analgesia with adequate sedation and without major adverse effects and hemodynamic changes
Many local anaesthetic drugs are available for epidural anaesthesia including Bupivacaine that is still popular among anaesthetists due to its desirable clinical profile, but carries inherent risk of cardiac toxicity of variable degree depending upon dosages and patient factors
Summary
Epidural anaesthesia is commonly used technique for providing surgical anaesthesia with post-operative analgesia in lower abdominal and limb surgeries[1]. The safety of ropivacaine is due to its availability in pure S- enantiomer form It has less neurotoxic and cardiotoxic potential and preferentially blocks sensory fibres to greater degree than the motor fibers. The aim of our study to compare the efficacy and clinical profile of α-2 adrenergic agonists dexmedetomidine and clonidine, when used as adjuvants in epidural anaesthesia in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries with special emphasis on their sedative properties and ability to provide smooth intra-operative and post- operative analgesia. Conclusion: We concluded that when used with ropivacaine (0.75%) as an adjuvant dexmedetomidine (1microgram/kg) and clonidine (1microgram/kg) shortens the onset of sensory block, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and provides the effective and prolonged post operative analgesia with adequate sedation and without major adverse effects and hemodynamic changes
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