Postoperative pain control after the use of dexmedetomidine and propofol to sedate patients undergoing ankle surgery under spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Figures & data

Figure 1 The CONSORT diagram.

Table 1 Patient’s Characteristics

	Dexmedetomidine (n=22)	Propofol (n=21)	P-value
Gender, female	7 (31.8)	6 (28.6)	0.82
Age (yr)	25.95 (0.64)	25.79 (2.14)	0.85
Weight (kg)	74.25 (11.75)	73.45 (10.35)	0.81
Height (Cm)	167.59 (9.37)	168.42 (8.55)	0.76
BMI (kg/m2)	25.95 (2.98)	25.79 (2.14)	0.85
ASA class (I/II)	15 (68.2)/7 (31.8)	15 (71.4)/6 (28.6)	0.82

Note: Values are expressed as mean (SD) or number (%).

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Figure 2 Postoperative, cumulative, IV, morphine-equivalent opioid consumption at 8, 16, and 24 h. Boxes represent the medians with the 25th/75th percentiles. Whiskers represent the minimum/maximum values, excluding outliers. Points represent the outliers. *P<0.05 between the dexmedetomidine and propofol groups.

Figure 3 Postoperative pain severity NRS scores while resting at 8, 16, and 24 h. Boxes represent the medians with the 25th/75th percentiles. Whiskers represent the minimum/maximum values, excluding outliers. Points represent the outliers. *P<0.05 between the dexmedetomidine and propofol groups.

Abbreviation: NRS, numeric rating scale.

Figure 4 Kaplan–Meier survival plots showing the durations of postoperative analgesia in the two study groups. P<0.001 (log-rank test).

Table 2 Duration of spinal anesthesia

	Dexmedetomidine (n=22)	Propofol (n=21)	P-value
Sensory blockade
The highest level (Thoracic level)	8 (2.64)	8.24 (1.87)	0.74
Time to reach level T 10	136.73 (48.68)	133.29 (31.24)	0.79
Time for two-level regression	151.09 (79.79)	145.52 (46.03)	0.78
Motor blockade
Time to regain of modified Bromage score 0	297 (12.6)	294 (18)	0.55

Note: Values are expressed as mean SD.

Table 3 Perioperative data

	Dexmedetomidine (n=22)	Propofol (n=21)	P-value
In operating theatre
Duration of anesthesia (min)	99.68 (24.44)	108.95 (27.23)	0.25
Duration of surgery (min)	57.36 (24.12)	63.76 (23.41)	0.38
Duration of sedative agent infusion (min)	76.77 (41.54)	79.38 (29.04)	0.81
Requirement for additional midazolam	3 (13.6)	0	0.23
Baseline MAP (mmHg)	92.20 (11.19)	91.52 (15.86)	0.87
Baseline HR (bpm)	78.14 (12.29)	73.48 (6.16)	0.12
Event of hypotension	1 (4.5)	2 (9.5)	0.52
Event of bradycardia	7 (31.8)	1 (4.8)	0.046
Event of respiratory depression	0	0	>0.99
Fluid infusion (mL)	475.0 (162.39)	452.38 (162.39)	0.65
In PACU
OAA/S score	4.73 (0.41)	4.85 (0.26)	0.27
PONV	1 (4.5)	0	>0.99
Pruritus	2 (9.1)	2 (9.5)	>0.99
Duration of PACU stay (min)	46.86 (12.83)	50.71 (24.77)	0.53
In ward
PONV	13 (59.2)	7 (33.3)	0.09
Urinary retention	10 (45.5)	10 (47.6)	0.89
Pruritus	8 (36.4)	4 (19)	0.21
Dizziness	5 (31.8)	4 (19.0)	0.49
Patient satisfaction at 24 h (Likert scale)†	3.73 (0.99)	3.38 (1.02)	0.65

Notes: Values are expressed as mean (SD) or number (%). †, Likert scale, 1–5, 1= strongly dissatisfied, 2= dissatisfied, 3= neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, 4= satisfied, and 5= strongly satisfied.

Abbreviations: MAP, mean arterial blood pressure; HR, heart rate; bpm, beats per minute; PONV, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PACU, post anesthesia care unit; OAA/S, observer’s assessment of alertness/sedation.