Comparison of the effect of scalp block analgesia bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2 μg/kg with bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg on cortisol levels and Numeric Rating Scale in craniotomy tumour.

Introduction: Craniotomy tumour is brain surgery that can induce a stress response. The stress response can be measured using haemodynamic parameters and plasma cortisol concentration. The stress response that occurs can affect an increase in sympathetic response, such as blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure. Scalp block can reduce the stress response to surgery and post-operative craniotomy tumour pain. The local anaesthetic drug bupivacaine 0.25% is effective in reducing post-operative pain and stress in the form of reducing plasma cortisol levels. The adjuvant addition of clonidine 2 μg/kg or dexamethasone may be beneficial.
Materials and Methods: A randomised control clinical trial was conducted at the Central Surgery Installation and Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung and Dr. Mohammad Husein Hospital Palembang from December 2022 to June 2023. A total of 40 participants were divided into two groups using block randomisation. Group I receives bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2 μg/kg, and group II receives bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg. The plasma cortisol levels of the patient will be assessed at (T0, T1 and T2). All the patient were intubated under general anesthaesia and received the drug for scalp block based on the group being randomised. Haemodynamic monitoring was carried out.
Results: There was a significant difference in administering bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2μg/kg compared to administering bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg/kg as analgesia for scalp block in tumour craniotomy patients on cortisol levels at 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.048) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.027), while post-intubation cortisol levels (T0) found no significant difference (p=0.756). There is a significant difference in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at post-intubation (T0) (p=0.003), 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.002) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.004), There were no postprocedure scalp block side effects in both groups.
Conclusion: The study found that scalp block with 0.25% bupivacaine and 2μg/kg clonidine is more effective in reducing NRS scores and cortisol levels compared bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8mg in tumour craniotomy patients.