A prospective randomized double blind study to compare effect of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine versus clonidine as an adjuvant to spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries

The research proposal is titled, "A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study to Compare Effect of Subcutaneous Dexmedetomidine Versus Clonidine as an Adjuvant to Spinal Anaesthesia in Patients Undergoing Lower Abdominal Surgeries."

Key Aspects of the Dissertation Plan:

Objective: The primary objective is to compare the duration of postoperative analgesia when using subcutaneous dexmedetomidine versus clonidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Secondary objectives include comparing onset and duration of sensory and motor block, intraoperative hemodynamic variability, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Ramsay Sedation Scale, total analgesia requirement in 24 hours, and adverse effects.

Methodology: This will be a prospective, randomized, double-blind, comparative study involving 60 patients (30 in each group: dexmedetomidine, clonidine, and placebo).  The study will be conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and attached hospitals in Ajmer, India.  Subcutaneous administration of the drugs will be used.  Data analysis will be performed using SPSS software.

Ethical Considerations: The plan includes obtaining informed consent from patients or their guardians and approval from the college’s ethical committee. The rationale for the subcutaneous route is justified based on its advantages of similar efficacy to IV administration, with less hemodynamic instability and a prolonged effect.

Drugs Used: Hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%), dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg), and clonidine (1 mcg/kg) will be administered subcutaneously after subarachnoid block with bupivacaine.

Data Collection: The plan details the various parameters to be recorded, including sensory and motor block characteristics, pain scores using VAS, Ramsay Sedation Scale, hemodynamic parameters, and adverse effects.

In summary, this dissertation plan proposes a well-structured study to compare the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine and clonidine as adjuvants to spinal anesthesia for prolonging postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries.  The plan outlines the methodology, ethical considerations, and statistical analysis to be employed in the study.