European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Emergence agitation is a common side-effect of Sevoflurane anaesthesia in children. Dexmedetomidine, a specific α2- receptor agonist, may be useful adjuvant during general anaesthesia by promoting hemodynamic stability and decreasing the doses of anaesthetics and analgesics. The purpose of our study was to test the effect of Dexmedetomidine in reducing emergence agitation in children undergoing Sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Material and Methods: 60 children aged 3 to 7 years scheduled to undergo superficial lower abdominal or genital surgeries were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Inj. Dexmedetomidine 0.3µg/kg (Group D) or Inj. Fentanyl 1µg/kg (Group F) i.v prior to induction. After induction with 8% Sevoflurane, a laryngeal mask airway was inserted. Anaesthesia was maintained with 1-2% Sevoflurane and 50% nitrous oxide on spontaneous ventilation. Postoperatively, caudal epidural block was given. At the end of anaesthesia, the time of response to verbal commands (TRVC) and characteristics of emergence were recorded.

Results: Mean postoperative behaviour score in Group D was 1.7 ± 0.79 while that in Group F was 2.96 ± 0.96. There was significant reduction in the VAS score from 5.7 ± 0.98 in Group F to 2.4 ± 0.89 in Group D. 13.33% patients in Group D and 43.33% in Group F showed agitation.

Conclusion: We conclude that Inj. Dexmedetomidine 0.3µg/kg i.v reduces postoperative emergence agitation after Sevoflurane anaesthesia in children