Abstract

Laparoscopic surgeries under general anesthesia are associated with unique hemodynamic changes in the form of increased systemic vascular resistance, leading to hypertension, forcing the anesthesiologist to increase the depth of anesthesia (DOA), and at times even requires the use of vasodilators to decrease raise in blood pressure, hampering the spirit of the day care surgery. Pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgeries affects several homeostatic systems leading to alterations in acid-base balance, cardiovascular physiology and stress response. The extent of cardiovascular changes associated with pneumoperitoneum include tachycardia, increase in mean arterial pressure, decrease in cardiac output and increase in systemic vascular resistance which in turn compromise tissue perfusion. Various antihypertensive drugs have been used . Dexmedtomidine(DEX) has recently been added to the anesthesia armamentorium. Dex due to its distinct properties can be used as an anesthetic adjuvant in the form of intravenous infusion .We studied the use of Dex in laparoscopic surgeries and evaluated its effects on stress response during laryngoscopy and intubation, hemodynamics, anesthetic and analgesic requirement and recovery profile. Background Dexmedetomidine(DEX) is a highly selective α2 agonist with properties of sedation, analgesia and anxiolysis, making it an ideal anesthetic adjuvant. Using an anesthetic adjuvant that decreases requirement of anesthetics and analgesics may predispose the patient to awareness. In the earlier studies it was noted that Dex as an adjuvant maintains adequate depth of anesthesia and provides excellent recovery profile.