Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Biochemical Recurrence in Patients after Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Study

The usage of dexmedetomidine during cancer surgery in current clinical practice is debatable, largely owing to the differing reports of its efficacy based on cancer type. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and radiographic progression in patients with prostate cancer, who have undergone robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Using follow-up data from two prospective randomized controlled studies, BCR and radiographic progression were compared between individuals who received dexmedetomidine (n = 58) and those who received saline (n = 56). Patients with complete follow-up records between July 2013 and June 2019 were enrolled in this study. There were no significant between-group differences in the number of patients who developed BCR and those who showed positive radiographic progression. Based on the Cox regression analysis, age (p = 0.015), Gleason score ≥ 8 (p < 0.001), and pathological tumor stage 3a and 3b (both p < 0.001) were shown to be significant predictors of post-RALP BCR. However, there was no impact on the dexmedetomidine or control groups. Low-dose administration of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.3–0.4 μg/kg/h did not significantly affect BCR incidence following RALP. In addition, no beneficial effect was noted on radiographic progression.