Intraoperative Infusion of Precedex to Reduce Length of Stay After Lumbar Spine Fusion

Summary

Major lumbar spine surgery causes inflammation, soreness and swelling that can delay discharge from the hospital. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study will evaluate whether DEX can help get patients out of the hospital faster after major spine surgery by reducing the inflammation associated with the procedure itself. A separate part of the study will evaluate the blood levels of some specific indicators of inflammation called cytokines. Measuring cytokines before and after surgery will aid in determining if DEX has altered the inflammatory response.

Timeline

Start

2009-06

Primary completion

2012-12

Completion

2012-12

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

registry analysis (superiority test); Dexmedetomidine vs Saline; p = 0.36; Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) NCT00808665 ↗

Publications

• Background Taniguchi T, Kurita A, Kobayashi K, Yamamoto K, Inaba H. Dose- and time-related effects of dexmedetomidine on mortality and inflammatory responses to endotoxin-induced shock in rats. J Anesth. 2008;22(3):221-8. doi: 10.1007/s00540-008-0611-9. Epub 2008 Aug 7.
• Background Sanders RD, Maze M. Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2007 Jan;8(1):25-33.
• Background Ma D, Hossain M, Rajakumaraswamy N, Arshad M, Sanders RD, Franks NP, Maze M. Dexmedetomidine produces its neuroprotective effect via the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor subtype. Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 11;502(1-2):87-97. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.08.044.
• Background Nelson LE, Lu J, Guo T, Saper CB, Franks NP, Maze M. The alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine converges on an endogenous sleep-promoting pathway to exert its sedative effects. Anesthesiology. 2003 Feb;98(2):428-36. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200302000-00024.
• Background Guo TZ, Jiang JY, Buttermann AE, Maze M. Dexmedetomidine injection into the locus ceruleus produces antinociception. Anesthesiology. 1996 Apr;84(4):873-81. doi: 10.1097/00000542-199604000-00015.

Drugs

Indications