Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexamethasone as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine for Ultrasound-guided Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy
Background: Many thyroidectomy patients suffer from postoperative pain that could delay early hospital discharge and place a significant burden on both the patient and the healthcare team. Bilateral intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) provides good analgesia for neck surgery, including thyroidectomy. However, the duration of a single-shot nerve block is usually short. Therefore, adjuvants are used in peripheral nerve blocks.
Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus dexamethasone as adjuvants to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Patients and
Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, phase four, prospective clinical trial; carried out on 60 patients, who were candidates for total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia at our hospital. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups; group A, received bilateral ICPB with isobaric bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine, and group B, received bilateral ICPB with isobaric bupivacaine plus dexamethasone.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status ≤ II
• Age from 21 to 60 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 35 kg/m2