ABSTRACT
Objective To study the sedative and analgesic effects of different drugs on patients under-going endoscopic variceal ligation( EVL). Methods Sixty patients undergoing selective EVL were randomly assigned to three groups:pethidine group( A),propofol-fentanyl group( B)and dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group(C). Data concerning blood pressure,heart rate,peripheral oxygen saturation,Ramsay score,endo-scopic operation and anesthesia time,surgeons' satisfaction and adverse reactions were recorded. Follow-up was done 24 hours later to confirm the patients' satisfaction and incidence of intraoperative awareness. Results The Ramsay scores of group B(5. 2 ± 0. 3)and C(3. 5 ± 0. 4)were significantly higher than group A (1. 6 ± 0. 4)(P<0. 05). There was no cough,body movement and high blood pressure during the EVL in group B or C,while the incidences of these symptoms in group A(40%,40% and 30%)were obviously higher (P<0. 05). The surgeons'satisfaction of group B(9. 2 ± 0. 3)and C(9. 6 ± 0. 4)were significantly higher than that of group A(5. 0 ± 0. 4)(P<0. 05). The patients' satisfaction scores of group B(9. 6 ± 0. 3)and C (9. 6 ± 0. 4)were also markedly higher than that of group A(5. 4 ± 0. 3)(P<0. 05). There was no difference of operation time among the three groups. The anesthesia time of group A(44 ± 6)was obviously longer than those of group B(35 ± 4)and C(36 ± 5)(P<0. 05). There was no difference in patients'or surgeons'satis-faction,or anesthesia time between group B and C. But the incidences of bradycardia( 40%),hypotension(30%)and hyoxemia(30%)in group B were obviously higher than those of group C(5%,0,0)(P<0. 05). There was no intraoperative awareness in group B or C. Conclusion Both dexmedetomidine and propofol com-bined with fentanyl are superior to pethidine for patients undergoing EVL,while dexmedetomidine provides bet-ter hemodynamics and respiratory conditions compared with propofol.