Papers of the Week

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was undertaken to evaluate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the duration of postoperative analgesia, postoperative pain scores and incidences of adverse effects. Databases and Data Treatment: Database search was performed from inception until January 2019. All randomised controlled trials analysing acute postoperative pain characteristics after intrathecal DEX administration in adults undergoing spinal anaesthesia for elective surgery were included. The primary outcome was postoperative analgesic duration, defined as the time to first analgesic request. The secondary outcomes included pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 post-operative hours and rates of hypotension, bradycardia, shivering and postoperative nausea and vomiting.