The effects of dexmedetomidine and tramadol on post-operative pain and agitation, and extubation quality in paediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy surgery: A randomized trial.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillectomies are common surgical procedures performed under general anaesthesia in childhood. Post-operative pain and agitation are complications associated with this procedure. We compared the effects of dexmedetomidine and tramadol on post-operative pain, agitation, haemodynamic parameters, and extubation quality in patients undergoing an adenotonsillectomy using sevoflurane as an anaesthetic agent. METHODS: Sixty paediatric patients who had undergone an adenotonsillectomy were included in this study. The patients were randomized into two groups that received either dexmedetomidine (n = 30) or tramadol (n = 30). Haemodynamic variables, extubation time, post-operative pain, agitation and adverse events were recorded for all patients. Post-operative pain was assessed with the pain point system scale (PPSS), and agitation was assessed using the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS). RESULTS: Patients in the dexmedetomidine group had significantly lower heart rates than the tramadol group. In addition, patients in the dexmedetomidine group had significantly lower post-operative PPSS and Riker SAS scores than patients in the tramadol group. Not breathing, cough-bucking and desaturation after extubation occurred less frequently in patients who received dexmedetomidine than in patients who received tramadol. However, the time to extubation was significantly longer for patients who received dexmedetomidine. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that dexmedetomidine was more effective than tramadol for mitigating post-operative pain and agitation in paediatric patients following an adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane. Although dexmedetomidine was associated with a longer time to extubation, it was also associated with fewer complications following extubation compared with tramadol.

Comparison of sedation with dexmedetomidine vs propofol during hysteroscopic surgery: Single-centre randomized controlled trial.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The most appropriate sedative agent for conscious sedation in minor hysteroscopic surgeries is still unclear. Dexmedetomidine a sedative and analgesic agent, may be appropriate for outpatient procedures. The aim of our study was to compare the sedative, analgesic and hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine vs propofol in combination with fentanyl and midazolam in patients undergoing minor hysteroscopy surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing minor hysteroscopic surgery were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (n = 30) or propofol (n = 30) groups. Dexmedetomidine was infused at 1 µg/kg for 10 minutes followed by a 0.7 µg/kg/h maintenance infusion. Propofol was infused a bolus of 1.5 mg/kg followed by a 2.5 mg/kg/h maintenance infusion. Fentanyl 1.5 mcg/kg and midazolam 0.03 mg/kg were performed to all patients as premedication therapy before the hysteroscopic surgery. Post-operative pain score was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS). Hemodynamic variables and Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) scores were recorded for all patients. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure and heart rate in the dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower than in propofol group, whereas SpO2 was similar between two groups. In addition, post-operative Riker SAS and VAS scores were significantly lower in dexmedetomidine group than in the propofol group. Bradycardia, hypotension and serious adverse events did not occur in any patients. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine was associated with better analgesia and lower post-operative pain score than propofol in patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery. However, arterial pressure and heart rate should be more closely monitored in patients received dexmedetomidine.