Comparison of dexmedetomidine and ketamine on haemodynamic changes and perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing dorsolumbar spine surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background and Aim: Dorsolumbar spine surgery presents anaesthetic challenges due to procedural invasiveness and potential complications. Opioid-based analgesia, commonly used for pain management, is associated with significant side effects. Adjuvants such as ketamine and dexmedetomidine may reduce opioid requirements and related adverse effects. This study aimed to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and ketamine infusions on intraoperative haemodynamics and perioperative analgesic requirements up to 24 hours after surgery in patients undergoing elective dorsolumbar spine surgery.Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 adult patients (aged 18–60 years) of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status I or II undergoing elective dorsolumbar spine surgery were allocated to two groups: the DEX group (dexmedetomidine infusion) and the KETA group (ketamine infusion). Recorded outcomes included demographic variables, intraoperative and postoperative heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), intraoperative fentanyl consumption, vasopressor requirement, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores, total analgesic consumption, rescue analgesia, and sedation score up to 24 hours post-surgery. A p-value