Description

Postoperative pain remains one of the most common problems in modern anesthesiological practice, even in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopic gynecological procedures. Despite the use of various analgesic regimens, the need for opioids remains significant, resulting in adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, sedation, and delayed recovery. In recent years, the focus has shifted toward opioid-sparing strategies through the use of adjunctive medications during anesthesia. Among these, esmolol and dexmedetomidine are drugs that have been studied as adjuncts for reducing intraoperative and postoperative opioid requirements.

Although the literature supports the opioid-sparing effects of both agents, data directly comparing esmolol and dexmedetomidine in the context of standardized total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and postoperative analgesia via PCA in laparoscopic gynecological surgeries remain limited. Furthermore, it is unclear whether esmolol can offer a benefit similar to that of dexmedetomidine, with a potentially more favorable recovery profile. Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with three parallel groups was designed to compare the effects of intraoperative esmolol and dexmedetomidine infusions versus placebo on opioid consumption and quality of recovery.