Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine on Post-operative Narcotic Requirements and Pain Scores in Bariatric Patients

This study will evaluate the postoperative opioid sparing effects of dexmedetomidine given as single bolus dose intraoperatively. Dexmedetomidine is an agonist of α2-adrenergic receptors sedative medication used by intensive care units and anesthesiologists and is unique in its ability to provide sedation without causing respiratory depression. Recently, it has received attention for its potential for additive analgesia. The study population will be patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The study population of bariatric surgery patients was chosen due to high prevalence of sleep apnea and Pickwickian component that can be worsened with opioid analgesia in the postoperative period. The purpose of the study is to test whether the use of a single bolus dose dexmedetomidine in addition to standard dose pain regimen decreases postoperative narcotic requirements when compared to standard dose pain regimen alone. The secondary purpose is to study whether single bolus dose dexmedetomidine reduces respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic and mean blood pressure, patient PCA demand bolus requests and VAS pain scores in the postoperative period. The overall goal of the study is to establish evidence of dexmedetomidine's role in multimodal pain relief in the bariatric surgery population with the possibility of other patient subgroups to follow

Inclusion criteria

• Patients must be undergoing open bariatric surgery at WVUH-ruby hospital. - They must be ASA class 1, 2 and 3.
• Consented individuals.
• They must be between the age of 18 to 55.

Exclusion criteria

• History of bradycardia or tachy-brady syndrome HR<45.
• 1st degree heart block or higher.
• Patient refusal.
• On pain medication for any reason for more than 24 hrs within 2 weeks of procedure.
• Allergy to medication.
• History of alcohol or drug abuse.
• History of Cardiac/ liver/ kidney disease