CONSORT-epidural dexmedetomidine improves gastrointestinal motility after laparoscopic colonic resection compared...

We have previously shown that epidural dexmedetomidine, when used as an adjunct to levobupivacaine for control of postoperative pain after open colonic resection, improves recovery of gastrointestinal motility compared with morphine.

Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic colonic resection were enrolled and allocated randomly to treatment with dexmedetomidine (group D) or morphine (group M). Group D received an epidural loading dose of dexmedetomidine (5 mL, 0.5 μg/kg), followed by continuous epidural administration of dexmedetomidine (80 μg) in 0.125% levobupivacaine (240 mL) at a rate of 5 mL/h for 2 days. Group M received an epidural loading dose of morphine (5 mL, 0.03 mg/kg) followed by continuous epidural administration of morphine (4.5 mg) in 0.125% levobupivacaine (240 mL) at a rate of 5 mL/h for 2 days. Verbal rating score (VRS) of pain, postoperative analgesic requirements, side effects related to analgesia, and time to postoperative first flatus (FFL) and first feces (FFE) were recorded.

VRS and postoperative analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the treatment groups. In contrast, FFL and FFE were significant delayed in group M compared with group D (P < .05). Patients in group M also had a significantly higher incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus (P < .05). No neurological deficits were observed in either group.

Compared with morphine, epidural dexmedetomidine is a better adjunct to levobupivacaine for control of postoperative pain after laparoscopic colonic resection.