Postoperative Effects of Continuous Dexmedetomidine Infusion During Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Single Center Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Dexmedetomidine(DEX) has proven to be an effective adjuvant to anesthetics owing to its sympatholytic, analgesic, and sedative properties. This study was designed to investigate the postoperative effects of continuous DEX infusion during gynecological laparoscopy and to evaluate the safety of this treatment. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing selective gynecological laparoscopy with general anesthesia were randomly assigned into DEX group (group D )and normal saline group (group N). DEX was infused at 0.5ug/kg/h during anesthesia maintenance in group D while normal saline was infused at the same rate in group N. The primary outcome measures were heart rate and blood pressure at extubation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after operation, NRS scores at 1, 2, 3 ,4, ,8,12,24 hours after surgery and OAA/S scores after extubation. The secondary outcome measures were time to extubation, propofol and remifentanil dosage during anesthesia, postoperative adverse events, and postoperative hospital stay. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in group D at extubation when compared with group N (P<0.05), but not different at the first postoperative hour or after. HR was lower both at extubation and the first postoperative hour in group D (P<0.05). NRS scores were lower in patients given DEX both at rest and movement at the first postoperative hour (P<0.05). Time to extubation and OAA/S scores after extubation were not different between groups. Postoperative respiratory depression, shivering and pruritus didn’t occur in this research. There were no significant differences in the incidence rate of postoperative adverse events or postoperative hospital stay between the groups. Conclusions: Continuous infusion of DEX during gynecological laparoscopy provided better hemodynamic stability at extubation and the effects on HR continued until 1 hour after operation. DEX administration was associated with lower NRS scores at the first postoperative hour without excessive sedation. DEX is a useful and safe adjuvant for general anesthesia during gynecological laparoscopy.