ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on reducing urethral stimulation in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery.Methods:From January 2019 to February 2020, 90 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were selected. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: catheterization before induction (group A), catheterization during induction (group B), and catheterization after induction (group C). In group A, patients received general anesthesia after awake catheterization. In group B, intravenous injection of DEX 0.5 μg/kg was pumped for 10 minutes, followed by catheterization and induction. In group C, patients received general anesthesia and then catheterization. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score of urethral stimulation, morphine dosage and the incidence of agitation during resuscitation were recorded. The heart rate and mean arterial pressure of the three groups were compared at the time of entering the room, catheterization, tracheal intubation, entering postanesthesia care unit (PACU), about extubation and 30 minutes after extubation.Results:The fluctuation of blood pressure and heart rate in group B was significantly less than that in group A and group C at the time of extubation and 30 minutes after extubation ( P<0.05). VAS of urethral stimulation in group B [(2.9±0.9)point] was significantly lower than that in group A [(4.4±1.8)point] when catheter was indwelling ( P<0.05). After extubation, VAS in group B [(2.8±1.1)point] was significantly lower than that in group A [(3.2±1.2)point] and C [(5.2±1.8)point] ( P<0.05). The utilization rate of morphine within 24 hours after surgery in group B (10%) was significantly lower than that in the other two groups (40%, 57%), and the incidence of postoperative agitation in group A and B was lower than that in group C within PACU ( P<0.05). The satisfaction of patients in group B (86.7%) was higher than that in group A (70%) and C (46.7%). The satisfaction of PACU personnel in group A (76.7%) and B (80%) was significantly higher than that in group C (43.3%). Conclusions:Sedation with dexmedetomidine during urethral catheterization can reduce urethral stimulation during resuscitation and improve patients' and PACU staffs' satisfaction.