# Intravenous dexmedetomidine versus levobupivacaine for hemodynamic response towards skull pin insertion

## TL;DR

This study compares two drugs for reducing blood pressure changes during skull pin insertion in patients.

## Contribution

The study compares the efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine and levobupivacaine in controlling hemodynamic responses during skull pin insertion.

## Key findings

- Both intravenous dexmedetomidine and levobupivacaine showed comparable efficacy in reducing hemodynamic responses.
- No significant differences in saturation levels were observed between the two groups at baseline or during skull pin insertion.
- The hemodynamic response was effectively diminished in both treatment groups.

## Abstract

Local anesthetics such as levobupivacaine, along with fentanyl and intravenous dexmedetomidine, have shown potential in reducing
sympathetic activation and tension. Therefore, it is of interest to compare intravenous dexmedetomidine with levobupivacaine. Patients
were randomly assigned to two groups of 40 each, designated as Group D and Group S, with measures including baseline, heart rate, mean
arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. At baseline, no significant difference in saturation was seen
across the Groups (p = 0.10). Likewise, during induction and at subsequent intervals (1 minute before and after skull pin placement, as
well as at 3, 5, and 10 minutes thereafter), Spo2 levels were similar across the two groups (all p > 0.05). We concluded that the
scalp block using fentanyl-levobupivacaine and intravenous dexmedetomidine has comparable efficacy in diminishing the hemodynamic
response associated with the skull pin head.