Comparison of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine versus clonidine as an adjuvant to spinal anesthesia: a randomized double blind control trial.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like clonidine and dexmedetomidine prolong the duration of postoperative analgesia and improve the quality of subarachnoid block (SAB) when used as adjuvant in various routes. However, addition of these drugs by IV or intrathecal routes are known to cause hemodynamic instability. The subcutaneous (SC) route provides similar efficacy as IV administration with less hemodynamic instability and prolonged effect.