Effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion during functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine, an α2 agonist, has well-known anesthetic and analgesic-sparing effects. We designed this study to evaluate the effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on intra operative blood loss and postoperative pain in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 90 patients planning to undergo endoscopic sinus surgery, who were randomly divided into three groups. 2 to 2.5 mg/kg of propofol was used in all groups to induce anesthesia. One group received dexmedetomidine 0.2 μg/kg per hour infusion whereas the other group received dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg per hour infusion. The control group received normal saline infusion. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 41.02 ± 11.93. 33 patients in the dexmedetomidine 0.2 μg/kg/h group, 30 patients in the dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h group and 27 patients in the placebo group. The lowest amount of bleeding was related to the dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h group. The volume of bleeding between the three groups was significantly different (p = 0.012). The satisfaction of the surgeon in the dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h group was more than other groups. There was a significant relationship between the satisfaction of the surgeon and the treatment groups (p < 0.001). The lowest duration of surgery was related to the dexmedetomidine 0.2 μg/kg/h group. The most Trinitroglycerin (TNG) consumption was in the placebo group and the highest dose of labetalol was in the dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h group. There was no significant difference in the TNG and labetalol consumption between three groups. The lowest consumption of morphine and pethidine in the dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h group. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg/h decreased blood loss and consumption of morphine and pethidine in patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery.