The Effect of Dexmedetomidine on the Agitation Induced by Sevoflurane during the Recovery Period of General Anesthesia in Children

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the agitation induced by sevoflurane during the recovery period of general anesthesia in children.Methods Forty ASAⅠ-Ⅱchildren aged 2-8 years undergoing high ligation of hernia sac and fixation of cryptorchidism were randomized into 2 groups(n=20 each): group A and group B.The children in each group were treated with 8% sevoflurane with mask inhalation for induction of anesthesia.They were intravenously injected with 0.1 mg/kg penehyclidine hydrochloride and 0.15mg/kg cis-atracurium besylate followed by insertion of laryngeal mask.The concentration of inhaled anesthetics was regulated according to BP,HR and BIS in order to maintain anesthesia.The children in group A were intravenously injected with 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine and the children in group B were intravenously injected with an equal volume of normal saline.SBP,DBP,HR and SpO2 were continuously observed from entering the operating room to the end of surgery.The recovery time,the time of LMA removal and the incidence of complications during recovery period were recorded.Pain scores and agitation scores were measured 0,15,30,60 and 90 min after entry into the recovery room.Results There were no significant differences in age,weight,type of surgery,time of surgery,recovery time and time of LMA removal between the two groups(P0.05).The scores of pain and agitation in group A were significantly lower than those in group B at 0,15 and 30 min after entry into the recovery room(P0.05).The hypotension and bradycardia did not occur in both groups.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the agitation induced by sevoflurane during the recovery period of general anesthesia in children.