Effect of dexmedetomidine on agitation during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in children

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on agitation during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in children. Methods Three hundred ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ children, aged 4-7 yr, weighing 16-30kg, scheduled for elective ear-nose-throat operation under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 150 each) : control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D) . Dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg in 20 ml was infused intravenously over 10 min before anesthesia induction in group D, while equal volume of normal Saline was infused in group C. Anesthesia was induced with inhalation of 8 % sevoflurane 5 min after the end of administration . The children were tracheal incubated and mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with inhalation of 2 % -3 % sevoflurane. BIS was maintained at 40-60 during operation. The recovery time and agitation within 2 h after operation were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in the recovery time between the two groups ( P > 0.05) . The incidence of agitation was significantly lower in group D than in group C ( P <0.05 ) . Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the occurrence of agitation during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in children. Key words: Dxmedetomidine;  Child;  Anesthesia recovery period;  Psychomotor agitation; Sevoflurane