Dexmedetomidine Alleviates Postpartum Depressive Symptoms following Cesarean Section in Chinese Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have investigated the prophylactic efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS). A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether the administration of DEX, immediately after delivery and for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), can attenuate PDS. METHODS: A total of 600 parturients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into the control group (infusion with 0.9% normal saline after delivery and PCIA with sufentanil) and the DEX group (DEX infusion 0.5 µg/kg after delivery and PCIA with DEX plus sufentanil). The prevalence of postpartum depressive disorders was indicated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Postoperative analgesia, sedation, and sleep quality of parturients were also assessed. RESULTS: Postpartum blues and PDS prevalence in the DEX, versus control, group were significantly lower (5.0% vs 14.1%, p<0.001; 5.7% vs 16.3%, p<0.001, respectively), especially in parturients with antenatal depression or moderate stress during pregnancy. Compared with the control group, the EPDS score at postpartum days 7 and 42 in the DEX group was significantly lower (4.23 ± 4.37 vs 1.93 ± 3.36, p<0.001; 4.68 ± 4.78 vs 1.99 ± 3.18, p<0.001, respectively), as was the incidence of postpartum self-harm ideation at postpartum days 7 and 42 in the DEX group versus the control group (1.1% vs 4.0%, p=0.03; 0.4% vs 2.9%, p=0.04, respectively). The pain score and the sleep quality in the DEX group were better than that in the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of DEX in the early postpartum period can significantly attenuate the incidence of postpartum depressive disorders.

Tramadol combined with fentanyl in awake endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and dosage of tramadol combined with fentanyl in awake endotracheal intubation. METHODS: Using Dixon's up-and-down sequential design, the study enrolled patients from each of the 20-49, 50-60 and 70-and-above age groups scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. The feasibility and dosage of tramadol combined with fentanyl in awake endotracheal intubation, guided by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, were verified. RESULTS: After intravenous injection with fentanyl 2.2 µg/kg and tramadol 2.0 mg/kg in the 20-49 age group, fentanyl 1.6 µg/kg and tramadol 1.9 mg/kg in the 50-69 age group and fentanyl 1 µg/kg and tramadol 1.8 mg/kg in those at the age of 70 or above, the patients achieved conscious sedation without obvious respiratory depression. Meanwhile, under these dosages, the patients could easily tolerate the thyrocricocentesis airway surface anesthesia and fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheal intubation. Postoperative follow-up showed that most patients had memory of the intubation process but without significant discomfort. No awake endotracheal intubation-related side effect was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Fiberoptic bronchoscope guided nasotracheal intubation can be successfully completed with background administration of fentanyl and tramadol. However, the specific dosages need to be tailored in different age of patients.