Effects of dexmedetomidine on extubation responses in neurosurgical patients

Objective To observe the effects of low dose of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on airway responsiveness and blood pressure (BP) at the period of extubation in general anesthesia patients undergoing neurosurgery. Methods Sixty neurosurgical patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=30). 0.5μg/kg of DEX (group D) or equivalent volume of normal saline (group N) was administrated intravenously before the end of surgery. The changes of BP, HR, SpO2, recovery time, extubation time, and adverse effects were recorded. Results Compared with N group, there was no extension of recovery time in D group (P>0.05). There were only seven cases in D group who had coughing during extubation and the number of that was 15 in N group (P 0.05). There wassignificant difference between two groups in DBP (P<0.05). The numerical values of DBP in D group were (85±13), (84±9), (80±5), (68± 10) and (70±7) mmHg , while that of N group were (100±18), (97±16), (95±7), (90±12) and (86+10) mm Hg, respectively, at 0 (T5), 1 (T6), 3 (T7), 5 (T8) and 10 min (T9) after extubation. There was significant difference between two groups in SBP (P<0.05). The numerical values of SBP in D group were (142±8), (140±6), (135±7), (122±12) and (125±16) mm Hg, while that of N group were (155±25), (153±21), (145±15), (137±16) and (138±20) mm Hg, respectively, at T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9 after extubation. There were significant differences between two groups in HR (P<0.05). The numerical values of HR in D group were (75±10), (73±9), (72±7), (70±5) and (68±5) bpm, while in N group were (100±18), (95±15), (90±12), (86±10) and (83± 11) bpm, respectively, at T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9 after extubation. Conclusion 0.5 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine applied before the end of neurosurgery can reduce airway responsiveness and maintain cycle stability during extubation. Key words: Neurosurgery ;  Tracheal extubation ;  Dexmedetomidine ;