haemodynamics and analgesia. Dexmedetomidine has proved to be a valuable additive in peripheral nerve blocks. We studied the efficacy and

safety of addition of Dexmedetomidine to scalp block for supratentorial craniotomies.

Materials and Methods: 60 ASA grade1 patients were randomly divided into and two groups. All the patients received fentanyl, propofol,

sevoflurane based general anaesthesia. Followed by scalp block with 0.25% bupivacaine added either with Dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg (Group

BD) or normal saline (Group B). Haemodynamic parameters, requirement of sevoflurane, postoperative pain score and sedation scores were

recorded.

Results: Both the groups showed blunted response to initial noxious stimuli like pin insertion and scalp incision due to local anaesthetic effects but

group BD demonstrated excellent haemodynamic stability thereafter throughout intraoperative and postoperative period. Dexmedetomidine

significantly reduced Sevoflurane requirement (mean 15.30 + 1.90 ml in group BD and 25.10 + 1.86 in group BD, p<0.05). potentiated the block

action with analgesia lasting more than 300 minutes postoperatively. Sedation level was also comparable and incidence of adverse events was

minimal.

Conclusion: Addition of Dexmedetomidine to scalp block provided better perioperative haemodynamic stability and significantly prolonged

analgesia.