A comparison of dexmedetomidine and propofol for sedation in gynecologic surgery under epidural anesthesia

Objective To compare the sedative effect of dexmedetomidine and propofol in gynecologic surgery under epidural anesthesia.Methods One hundred female patients scheduled for oophorectomy or/and hysterectomy received epidural anesthesia in routine and were randomly assigned to two groups:Dexmedtomidine group(group D) and propofol group(group P).Ramsay sedation score(RASS) and bispectral index(BIS) values were used to observe the sedative effect of dexmedetomidine and propofol during surgery.In addition,HR,MAP,BIS and Ramsay scores were recorded at seven time points:before administration(T0),before incision(T1),15 min(T2),30 min(T3),45 min(T4)after operation start,when operation finished(T5) and 1 h after operation(T6).Results In group D,the values of BIS,HR and MAP decreased significantly at T1-T5 compared with T0(P0.05).Compared with group P,Rasmay,BIS scores HR and MAP were significantly lower in group D at the times of T1-T5(P0.05).The incidence of hypotension was much higher in group P than that in group D(P0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine for sedation in gynecologic surgery under epidural anesthesia is safe and feasible.