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

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Jasminka Peršec
• Author: Andrej Šribar
• Author: Monika Ilić
• Author: Ivan Mamić
• Author: Domagoj Kifer
• Author: Ana-Marija Domijan
• Author: Željan Maleš
• Author: Petra Turčić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry; (Department of biophysics)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry; (Department of pharmaceutical botany)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry; (Department of pharmacology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Pharmacy; Pharmacy

Abstract (english)

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants to pre-operative epidural administration of local anesthetic (ropivacaine) in thoracic surgery on the post-operative 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. Post-operatively, 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 analgesic 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.

• Keywords (english): dexmedetomidine; dexamethasone; thoracotomy; local anesthetic; analgesic efficacy
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Acta Pharmaceutica
• Numbering: vol. 73, no. 4 (Special Issue), pp. 691-707
• p-ISSN: 1330-0075
• e-ISSN: 1846-9558
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2023-0040
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:163:589050
• Publication: 2023
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/308543
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-01-26 12:20:37