<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants to preoperative epidural administration of local anesthetic (ropivacaine) in thoracic surgery on the postoperative level of pain, use of analgesics, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The study enrolled 42 patients who underwent elective thoracic surgery in a one-year period at the University Hospital Dubrava (Zagreb, Croatia). Based on a computer-generated randomization list the patients were assigned to the dexmedetomidine (<italic>n</italic> = 18) or dexamethasone (<italic>n</italic> = 24) group. Postoperatively, patients of dexmedetomidine group reported lower pain (VAS value 1 h post surgery, 3.4 ± 2.7 <italic>vs.</italic> 5.4 ± 1.8, dexmedetomidine <italic>vs.</italic> dexamethasone, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) and had lower anal-gesic requirements in comparison with dexamethasone group. Thus, dexmedetomidine in comparison with dexamethasone was more efficient in lowering pain and analgesia requirements 24 h after the surgery. On the contrary, dexamethasone had better anti-inflammatory properties (CRP level 24 h post surgery, 131.9 ± 90.7 <italic>vs.</italic> 26.0 ± 55.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, dexmedetomidine <italic>vs.</italic> dexamethasone, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01). Both dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone exhibited antioxidant effects, however, their antioxidant properties should be further explored. The results of this study improve current knowledge of pain control in thoracic surgery.</p>
</abstract>

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants to preoperative epidural administration of local anesthetic (ropivacaine) in thoracic surgery on the postoperative level of pain, use of analgesics, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The study enrolled 42 patients who underwent elective thoracic surgery in a one-year period at the University Hospital Dubrava (Zagreb, Croatia). Based on a computer-generated randomization list the patients were assigned to the dexmedetomidine (n = 18) or dexamethasone (n = 24) group. Postoperatively, patients of dexmedetomidine group reported lower pain (VAS value 1 h post surgery, 3.4 ± 2.7 vs. 5.4 ± 1.8, dexmedetomidine vs. dexamethasone, p < 0.01) and had lower anal-gesic requirements in comparison with dexamethasone group. Thus, dexmedetomidine in comparison with dexamethasone was more efficient in lowering pain and analgesia requirements 24 h after the surgery. On the contrary, dexamethasone had better anti-inflammatory properties (CRP level 24 h post surgery, 131.9 ± 90.7 vs. 26.0 ± 55.2 mg L−1, dexmedetomidine vs. dexamethasone, p < 0.01). Both dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone exhibited antioxidant effects, however, their antioxidant properties should be further explored. The results of this study improve current knowledge of pain control in thoracic surgery.

Effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone on postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, inflammation, and oxidative stress in thoracic surgery

Clinical Department for Anesthesiology Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine

University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Acta Pharmaceutica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants to preoperative epidural administration of local anesthetic...

Effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone on postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, inflammation, and oxidative stress in thoracic surgery

Published Online: Dec 26, 2023

Page range: 691 - 708

Accepted: Sep 11, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2023-0040

Keywords
dexmedetomidine, dexamethasone, thoracotomy, local anesthetic, analgesic efficacy

© 2023 Jasminka Peršec et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone on postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, inflammation, and oxidative stress in thoracic surgery

Published Online: Dec 26, 2023

Page range: 691 - 708

Accepted: Sep 11, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2023-0040

Keywordsdexmedetomidine, dexamethasone, thoracotomy, local anesthetic, analgesic efficacy

© 2023 Jasminka Peršec et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
dexmedetomidine, dexamethasone, thoracotomy, local anesthetic, analgesic efficacy