title: Is dexmedetomidine better than propofol and fentanyl combination in minor day care procedures? A prospective randomised double-blind study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The growing popularity and trend of day care (ambulatory) anaesthesia has led to the development of newer and efficient drug regimen. We decided to evaluate the efficacy of two drug regimens namely dexmedetomidine and propofol with midazolam and fentanyl for moderate sedation characteristics in minor surgical procedures in terms of analgesia, intra-operative sedation, haemodynamic stability and side effects related.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totally, 60 adult American Society of Anaesthesiologists class I-II patients posted for day care surgeries of duration <45 min divided into two groups; Group D, where dexmedetomidine loading dose at 1 μg/kg was administered over 10 min followed by maintenance infusion initiated at 0.6 μg/kg/h and titrated to achieve desired clinical effect with dose ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 μg/kg, Group P, where midazolam at 0.02 mg/kg and fentanyl at 2 μg/kg IV boluses were given followed by propofol infusion. Statistical analysis was done using student t-test, analysis of variance and Chi-square analysis. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Degree of sedation (Observer's Assessment of Activity and Sedation Scale ≤3) was comparable in both groups (P > 0.05). Rescue analgesia with fentanyl was needed in 30% patients of Group D compared to 17.63% patients of Group P (P < 0.05). The level of arousal was faster and better in Group D at 5 min after the procedure (P < 0.05). Haemodynamics were stable in Group D as with Group P patients (P < 0.005). Dry mouth reported by 16.67% patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine can be a useful adjuvant rather than the sole sedative-analgesic agent during minor surgeries and be a valuable alternative to propofol in terms of moderate sedation, haemodynamic stability with minimal transient side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, St. Stephen's Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Gaurav Singh
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tomar
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, St. Stephen's Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Farhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, St. Stephen's Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, GGS Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Neeraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaur
keywords: Day care; dexmedetomidine; fentanyl; moderate sedation; propofol