Dexmedetomidine is a useful anaesthetic adjuvant for general anaesthesia. In this prospective randomised study, we determined whether preoperative dexmedetomidine administration could reduce the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of propofol for successful i-gelTM insertion without muscle relaxants.
Propofol is a useful induction agent for LMA insertion without muscle relaxants because it profoundly inhibits pharyngeal and laryngeal reactivity. A previous report showed that the effect-site concentration of propofol for successful classic LMA insertion in 50% of adults (EC50) without muscle relaxants in healthy male patients was 8.72 (0.55) µg ml-1. The EC50 of propofol may be dependent on the type of LMA used. A previous study comparing the EC50 of the propofol concentration between classic and proseal LMA insertions demonstrated that the EC50 of propofol needed for proseal LMA insertion was 35% greater than that needed for classic LMA insertion. Unfortunately, no investigation has been performed to determine the EC50 of the propofol concentration required for i-gel insertion without muscle relaxants. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective alpha-2 agonist, has sympatholytic, sedative, and analgesic properties. Such beneficial characteristics make DEX a useful anaesthetic adjuvant for general anaesthesia. Many reports have revealed the beneficial effects of DEX in terms of reducing intraoperative anaesthetic requirements, postoperative analgesic demand, and increased haemodynamic responses to noxious stimuli such as endotracheal intubation. A previous investigation showed that preoperative clonidine, an alpha-2 agonist, decreased the EC50 required for LMA insertion. We hypothesised that preoperative DEX administration can reduce the propofol concentration required for i-gel insertion. In this study, we compared the EC50 of propofol needed for successful i-gel insertion without muscle relaxants between DEX and placebo groups
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
37
All patients were pre-oxygenated with 100% oxygen with spontaneous breathing for 3 min before the end of loading of normal saline. Anaesthesia was induced with predetermined effect-site propofol concentrations using a target-controlled infusion device (Orchestra; Fresenius-Vial, Brezins, France). The first patient in Group C received an effect-site propofol concentration of 3 and 5 µg mL-1, respectively, over 5 min. After equilibration of the plasma and effect-site propofol concentrations, i-gel (size 4 for patients weighing 50-90 kg, size 3 for patients weighing 30-50 kg) was inserted using the standard technique by a single anaesthesiologist staff member with expertise in i-gel insertion and who entered the operating room immediately before i-gel insertion to blind him to the group assignment
All patients were pre-oxygenated with 100% oxygen with spontaneous breathing for 3 min before the end of loading of dexmedetomidine. Anaesthesia was induced with predetermined effect-site propofol concentrations using a target-controlled infusion device (Orchestra; Fresenius-Vial, Brezins, France). The first patient in Group D received an effect-site propofol concentration of 3 and 5 µg mL-1, respectively, over 5 min. After equilibration of the plasma and effect-site propofol concentrations, i-gel (size 4 for patients weighing 50-90 kg, size 3 for patients weighing 30-50 kg) was inserted using the standard technique by a single anaesthesiologist staff member with expertise in i-gel insertion and who entered the operating room immediately before i-gel insertion to blind him to the group assignment.
Seoul National University of Hospital
Seoul, South Korea
EC50 of propofol required for successful i-gel insertion
The EC50 of propofol for successful i-gel insertion was determined by a modification of Dixon's up-and-down method. The response of each patient determined the effect-site propofol concentration for the next patient. If the response was deemed 'successful', the next target concentration of propofol was decreased by 0.5 µg mL-1. If the response was deemed a 'failure', the target concentration was increased by the same dose. The process was repeated until the sixth crossover point (success/failure) was obtained.
Time frame: During i-gel insertion anticipated up to 1 min
the total dose of propofol infused before i-gel insertion
The total amount of propofol infused before i-gel insertion was noted. The insertion time, defined as the time from picking up the i-gel until the initiation of mechanical ventilation.
Time frame: During i-gel insertion time anticipated upto 1min
the presence/severity of airway trauma after i-gel insertion
After removing the i-gel, airway trauma (defined as any blood staining on the device) was recorded.
Time frame: At the time point of removing the i-gel from patient's mouth
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