Comparison of propofol-dexmedetomidine, tiopental-dexmedetomidine and etomidate-dexmedetomidine combinations' effects on the tracheal intubation conditions without using muscle relaxants.

BACKGROUND

In our study, we aimed to compare the endotracheal intubation conditions without muscle relaxants during induction with the combinations of dexmedotimidine-propofol, dexmedotimidine-thiopenthal and dexmedetomidine-etomidate.

METHOD: Seventy-six patients, in ASA risk group I-II, between ages 20-60 years, with Mallampati Class 1 were included in the study. All patients were premedicated with midazolam. The patients were randomly divided into three groups as Group P (n=30, dexmedetomidine-propofol), Group T (n=30, dexmedetomidine-thiopenthal), Group E (n=16, dexmedetomidine-etomidate). All patients received dexmedetomidine 1 μg.kg-1 in 10 min. Then, the patients were administered 2.5 mg.kg-1 propofol for Group P, 5 mg.kg-1 thiopental for Group T and 0.3 mg.kg-1 etomidate for Group E during induction. Hemodynamic data of the patients were recorded before induction, after dexmedetomidine administration, immediately after intubation and 3, 5 and 10 minutes after intubation.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the groups according to hemodynamic data. Sixteen patients in Group P and 10 patients in Group T had acceptable intubation conditions. Muscle relaxant was needed in 14, 20 and 16 patients in Groups P, T and E, respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we determined that best intubation conditions without muscle relaxants were achieved with propofol-dexmedetomidine combination. None of the patients receiving etomidate -dexmedetomidine combination could be intubated without muscle relaxants (Tab. 6, Ref. 29).