Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Local Anesthetic Agent in Scalp Block and Scalp Infiltration to Control Post Craniotomy Pain

Patients were randomly allocated into three equal groups by computer generated random numbers. For randomization, the simple random allocation rule was followed, wherein the total sample size (n = 150) was randomly divided into three equal groups. In the event of any case has to be excluded because of requirement of postoperative ventilation, altered sensorium or high grade fever in the post-operative period, the same random number code was allocated to the next patient in order to ensure an equal sample size without any modification to the original random number table. The random numbers were then kept in opaque sealed envelopes, numbered sequentially which were opened just before shifting patient inside operation theatre.

The anaesthesiologist who prepared and administered the study drug were not involved in collection of data. The anaesthesiologist who collected the data from the patient in the postoperative period, the operating surgeon and the patient were blinded to the group assigned to the patient.

Pre-operative Assessment:

Pre-operative anaesthetic evaluation was done on the day prior to the surgery. This included a detailed history regarding physical health, any co-morbid illness, current medications, drug allergy and previous anaesthetic experience. The patient was made familiar about the NRS (0-10, with 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain ever). A written and informed consent was taken. Patients were fasted and premedicated according to the departmental protocol.

Duration of study period-