Comparison of intraarticular bupivacaine-dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine-magnesium sulfate for postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic meniscectomy: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Arthroscopic meniscus surgery can lead to pain at various levels. In this study, we aimed to compare, in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy under spinal anesthesia, the efficacy of the combination of magnesium sulfate and dexmedetomidine with local anesthetics administered intraarticularly for postoperative pain management Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study comprised of 52 patients who were randomly assigned into two groups depending on the combination injected intraarticularly at the end of the procedure: bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine (group D) or bupivacaine and magnesium sulfate (group M). Perioperative data, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and total analgesic consumption were recorded.

Clinical trial registration: NCT03479216 Results: No statistically significant differences were found in mobilization times, rescue analgesic times, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory consumption. The maximum mean VAS values at rest and during movement in group D were measured at the 6th hour while in group M peaked at the 8th hour.

Conclusion: Both intraarticular dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate, in combination with bupivacaine, have similar effects on reducing postoperative pain in arthroscopic knee surgery. HIPPOKRATIA 2019, 23(2): 51-57.

Keywords: Analgesia; arthroscopy; dexmedetomidine; intraarticular injections; magnesium; pain.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Copyright 2019, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki.

Figures

Figure 1. Flow diagram of the randomized, controlled study summarizing the enrolled and excluded patients.

Figure 2. Changes in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores A) at rest and B) during movement at the postoperative