Nebulized Lidocaine, Dexmedetomedine and Their Combination in Direct Laryngoscopy Surgery

Patients will be transferred to the induction room 30 min prior to surgery. Standard monitors will be applied [pulse oximetry, non invasive blood pressure (NIBP) and electrocardiogram (ECG)]. Basal HR, systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) will be recorded. An intravenous 22-G cannula will be inserted, and all patients will be pre-medicated with intravenous midazolam 0.02 mg/kg, granisetrone 2mg and ranitidine 30 mg.

Patients will then be randomly and evenly allocated to one of 4 groups (45 patients each).

Nebulized solutions will be prepared by a pharmacist not participating in the study. Nebulization will be done with 100% oxygen (10 L/min) through facemask attached to a nebulizer. Patients will be asked to breath normally. Nebulization will continue till the solution in the nebulizer is all aerosolized.

Upon arrival to the operating room, routine monitors will be applied in addition to neuromuscular monitor and end tidal CO2 (ETCO2). General anaesthesia will be induced, after 5 min of preoxygenation, by intravenous fentanyl 1 μg/kg, propofol 1.5-2 mg/kg titrated to a loss of verbal response and rocuronium 1 mg/kg to facilitate endotracheal intubation. Mackintosh laryngoscope will be introduced when train of four (TOF) count reaches 1. High volume-low pressure endotracheal tube (size 5-5.5) will be inserted by senior anaesthesiologist. HR, SBP, DBP and MAP will be recorded immediately after intubation.

Anaesthesia will be maintained by sevoflurane 2-3% in oxygen to air ratio 1:1. Rocuronium 0.1 mg/kg when required. Positive pressure ventilation will be set to maintain ETCO2 30-35 mmHg.

SBP, DBP, MAP and HR will be recorded on arrival to the induction room (baseline), after endotracheal intubation, and then every 5 min throughout the surgery.

In case of hypertension (defined as SBP > 140 mmHg, DBP >90 mmHg or MAP 20% higher than baseline) and/or tachycardia (defined as HR 20% higher than baseline), boluses fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg will be given with a maximum dose of 2 μg/Kg. If hypertension and/or tachycardia continue after reaching the maximum dose of fentanyl, loading dose of esmolol 500 μg/Kg will be started, followed by infusion of 100-300 μg/kg/min. The use and total dose of esmolol will be recorded.

In cases of significant hypotension (defined as mean blood pressure < 70 mmHg), the patient will be treated initially with an intravenous (IV) fluid bolus of10 mL/kg normal saline, and if the condition persists, the patient will given 0.1-0.3 mg/kg IV ephedrine, which will be repeated every 3-5 minutes until the blood pressure is normalized. Significant bradycardia (defined as heart rate < 60 beat/min) will be treated, when needed, with IV atropine 0.02 mg/kg.

At the conclusion of surgery, sevoflurane will be discontinued and patients will inhale 100% O2. After return of spontaneous breathing, residual neuromuscular block will be reversed with intravenous neostigmine 0.05 mg/kg and glycopyrolate 0.01 mg/kg. Extubation will be done when the patient starts to show purposeful movements.

Inclusion criteria

• ASA I-III patients admitted for DL surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• Uncontrolled hypertension (MAP > 100 mmHg) or ischaemic heart disease.
• End stage renal impairment.
• Chronic drug or alcohol abuse.
• Predicted difficult airway, laryngoscopy and intubation time > 30 sec, more than one attempt of intubation.
• Morbid obesity (BMI > 30).
• Known allergy to the drugs used.