A randomised controlled trial to compare the effect of intravenous clonidine versus dexmedetomidine on hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic benign gall bladder diseases and has essentially replaced the open technique because of its better postoperative recovery profile. But it is also associated with significant cardiopulmonary changes due to the pressure effect of pneumoperitoneum and the release of catecholamine. Various drugs have been used to prevent these responses like magnesium sulfate, nitroglycerine, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine. Clonidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, and dexmedetomidine, a new generation highly selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, inhibit catecholamine release effectively and will be used in this study for achieving haemodynamic stability.

Objectives: To compare the effect of intravenous clonidine versus intravenous dexmedetomidine on pneumoperitoneum-induced hemodynamic response during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Material And Methods: in three groups of 30 each randomly selected patients, one group will receive 50 ml of normal saline, the second group will receive 0.75μg/kg clonidine in normal saline, the third group will receive 0.75μg/kg dexmedetomidine in normal saline and total volume of study drug will be adjusted to 50 ml each administrated for 15 minutes before induction of GA.

Expected Benefits: in terms of stable hemodynamics, reduction in induction dose of propofol, decreased post-operative pain, and decreased side effects.