A Randomized Control Trial comparing the efficacy of Clonidine Premedication Versus Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Anaesthetic requirement, Haemodynamics and Recovery from Anaesthesia in patients undergoing instrumented Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of clonidine with dexmedetomidine on sevoflurane requirement, recovery time, haemodynamics further requirement of anaesthetics, incidence of adverse events and amount of blood loss in patients undergoing spine surgery. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing oral clonidine premedication and intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion. Group 1 received oral clonidine in the ward and group 2 received dexmedetomidine infusion intraoperatively. The end tidal concentration of sevofluorane was titrated to keep a BIS score of 40-50. End tidal sevofluorane concentrations and haemodynamic parameters like blood pressure and heart at various time intervals, wake up times, additional propofol and fentanyl requirements and blood loss were recorded. The mean, standard deviation and frequencies with percentages of these parameters were calculated. The statistical analysis was performed using independent sample t-test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Both, Clonidine and dexmedetomidine decreases the sevoflurane requirement. But dexmedetomidine has better anesthetic sparing property when compared to clonidine. Intraoperative requirement of propofol and fentanyl were same with both clonidine and dexmedetomidine. Recovery time was comparable between the two groups. Both, clonidine and dexmedetomidine are effective in controlling haemodynamics including the blood pressure and heart rate. Both, clonidine and dexmedetomidine are equally effective in reducing the blood loss