Comparing the Effectiveness of Intra-Articular Injection of Bupivacaine, Dexmedetomidine Vs. 0.9% Saline on Pain Control after Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

• Main Authors: Mohammad Reza Minator Sajjadi, Reza Zandi, Mohammad Ali Okhovatpour, Pooyan Jalalpour, Mohammad Reza Moshari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2020-05-01
• Series: Journal of Orthopedic and Spine Trauma
• Subjects: Intra-Articular Injections; Postoperative Pain; Arthroscopy; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Bupivacaine; Dexmedetomidine
• Online Access: https://jost.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jost/article/view/123
• ISSN: 2538-2330; 2538-4600

Background: In different ways, drugs are administered to reduce postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to compare the dexmedetomidine (DEX) intra-articular injection with bupivacaine hydrochloride and sterile 0.9% saline administration following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Methods: Sixty cases who underwent ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received intra-articular DEX; the second group received intra-articular bupivacaine, and the final group received intra-articular 0.9% saline. Postoperative pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: The mean VAS scores at 6 and 24 hours after surgery were lower in the bupivacaine group, compared to the other groups. The pain was more severe in the control group (0.9% saline), with higher VAS scores reported at 1, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. Conclusions:  Bupivacaine has more significant effects than DEX in postoperative pain management after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.