COMPARISON OF POST OPERATIVE ANALGESIA BETWEEN DEXMEDETOMIDINE VERSUS CLONIDINE AS ADJUVANT TO ROPIVACAINE IN ULTRASOUND GUIDED ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCK IN ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERIES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Authors

• Shwetha Arun, Mandya Institute of Medical SciencesFollow
• Archana B N, Mandya Institute of Medical SciencesFollow
• Dr. Shivakumar G Pofessor and HOD, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, MandyaFollow
• Devika Lekshmi S, Mandya Institute of Medical SciencesFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3502-4707

Corresponding Author

ARCHANA B N - [email protected]

SHIVAKUMAR G - [email protected]

DEVIKA LEKSHMI S - [email protected]

Abstract

The current study evaluated the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus clonidine as adjuvants to 0.2% ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided adductor canal block. Effective postoperative pain management is essential for early mobilization and improved recovery following arthroscopic knee surgeries. Sixty ASA I–II patients aged 20–60 years undergoing elective arthroscopic knee procedures were randomized into two groups: Group D received ropivacaine 0.2% 30ml with dexmedetomidine 100 mcg, and Group C received ropivacaine 0.2% 30ml with clonidine 150 mcg. Duration of analgesia, pain scores, sedation levels, hemodynamic changes, and rescue analgesic requirements were recorded. Group D demonstrated significantly prolonged analgesia (18.08 ± 0.514 h) compared with Group C (11.034 ± 0.509 h) (p < 0.0001), along with consistently lower VAS scores and improved sedation in the early postoperative period. Two patients in the dexmedetomidine group experienced transient bradycardia that responded to treatment. No major complications occurred. Dexmedetomidine offers superior analgesia and sedation compared with clonidine when used as an adjuvant in adductor canal block.

Publication Date

2026

Publisher

Shwetha A

Conflict of Interest

nil

Keywords

adductor canal block, arthroscopic knee surgery, ropivacaine, ultrasound guided nerve block

Word Count

3000

Recommended Citation

Arun S, B N A, G D Pofessor and HOD, Lekshmi S D. COMPARISON OF POST OPERATIVE ANALGESIA BETWEEN DEXMEDETOMIDINE VERSUS CLONIDINE AS ADJUVANT TO ROPIVACAINE IN ULTRASOUND GUIDED ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCK IN ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERIES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY. Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 8(2): -. doi: https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1288

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