Intra-articular Versus Intravenous Administration of Dexmedetomidine in Arthroscopic Knee Surgeries: A Prospective Randomized Study

All patients were kept fasting after midnight and received midazolam 5 mg orally as premedication. All patients were premedicated with I.V. midazolam 0.03 mg/kg ten minutes before starting the operation. The anesthetic technique was standardized for all patients. All surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon and consisted of arthroscopic removal of torn meniscus. Both intra-articular and intravenous solutions were prepared by an individual not involved in the study and the intra-articular drugs were injected by the surgeon (without knowing the contents). The anesthesiologist managing and monitoring the patient throughout the surgery provides IV drugs. No leg holder or tourniquet or surgical drain was used for any of the cases. After preparation and draping the patient's leg, patients were warned prior to each needle stick to decrease anxiety. All procedures were performed under complete aseptic conditions. Skin and subcutaneous tissues at each arthroscopic portal site were anesthetized with LA consisting of injection of a mixture of 2% lidocaine 5 mL with 1:200,000 epinephrine.

Care should be taken to avoid infiltration of the fat pad. It is a relatively aneural structure; as, too much local infiltration allows it to bulge out into the joint during the surgery. Flexion and extension of the knee joint several times help to spread of intra-articular solution and then waiting 20 minutes for anesthesia to take effect is helpful before the surgical incision.

The arthroscope was inserted into the knee, and inflow through the sheath was established. No pump was used for the saline inflow which was maintained through the arthroscope by the gravity. Gravity outflow drained through the superolateral portal. A separate egress cannula was used if indicated. The patient was encouraged to view the video monitor during the procedure. Constant verbal communication between the surgeon and the patient is important throughout the arthroscopic examination and surgery. This keeps the patient anxiety and muscle tension to the minimum which facilitates manipulation of the leg and thorough examination of the entire joint. Once finishing, instruments were removed and portals were closed with a 4-0 absorbable suture subcutaneously and steri-strips. A compression dressing was applied for three days to the knee.