Effect of dexmedetomidine on emergence agitation in children after sevoflurane anesthesia undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the emergence agitation in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy(T A).Methods Sixty childrens undergoing elective tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were randomly divided into two groups(group C and D) with thirty cases each.After mask induction with sevoflurane,group D received iv dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg over 10 minutes,followed by 1 μg·kg-1·h-1,and group C received iv NS.Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and oxygen.Paracetamol suppositories was given through rectual at the end of the surgery.Emergence agitation was evaluated by the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale(PAED).Pain was evaluated by face pain scale-revised(FPS-R).Results The frequency of emergence agitation in the PACU was 16% in group D and 53% in group C.PAED peak,minimum alveolar concentration values,the median objective pain score,mean systolic blood pressure,heart rate,patients had an episode of SpO2 below 95%,patients required rescue fentanyl were all lower in group D compared with group C(P0.05).Conclusions An intraoperativeinfusion of dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane provided satisfactory intraoperative conditions for T A without adverse hemodynamic effects.The incidence and duration of emergence agitation was lowered with dexmedetomidine.