Determining the Effect of Injection Dexmedetomidine for Prevention of Pain due to Propofol Injection and Comparing it with Injection Lignocaine

Background: Local pain following the injection Propofol is a common problem. Different methods are used to decrease the pain, but with limited success. The goal of this study was toassess the effect of injection Dexmedetomidine 0.2 mcg/kg for prevention of pain due to Propofol injection and compare the effect with injection Lignocaine 0.2 mg/kg.

Method: After taking permission of Institutional Ethics Committee, study was initiated with written informed consent from the participating subjects. In a randomized prospective study, 60 ASA I & II patients of age range 20-60 years, of either sex, posted for elective surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly allocated in two groups.

Group I (Dexmedetomidine group): Injection Dexmedetomidine 0.2mcg/kg, and

Group II (Lignocaine group): Injection Lignocaine 0.2mg/kg.

Both were diluted in 5 ml normal saline. IV line was secured with 20 G cannula and venous occlusion was applied to forearm using a pneumatic tourniquet and inflated to 70mm Hg for 1 minute. After injection of study drug, tourniquet was released and 25% of the calculated dose of Injection Propofol was given IV over 10 seconds. Severity of pain was evaluated using McCrirrick and Hunter scale and then remaining Propofol & neuromuscular blocking agent were given. Endotracheal intubation was done and anesthesia was maintained with Oxygen, Nitrous oxide and Isoflurane on intermittent positive pressure ventilation with Bain’s circuit. Injection Vecuronium was used as muscle relaxant.

Results: Demographic data revealed that the two groups had no statistically significant differences. There was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups in respect to reduction of pain due to injection Propofol. No adverse effects like oedema, pain, wheal response at the site of injection were observed in both groups.