Evaluation of outcomes in patients given dexmedetomidine in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (DEX) on hemodynamic parameters and on surgeon and patient satisfaction during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Methods: Forty patients who were to undergo FESS were enrolled in this randomized, prospective, controlled study. In the DEX group, conscious sedation was induced with an infusion of 1 microg/kg of DEX 10 minutes before surgery, followed by an infusion of DEX at 0.2 microg/kg per hour. A control group was given identical amounts of saline solution. During the procedure, hemodynamic data were recorded. The patients evaluated their pain on a visual analog scale (VAS). Intraoperative bleeding was rated on a 6-point scale for evaluation of operative field visibility.

Results: We observed that the DEX group had lower bleeding scores (p = 0.019). The heart rates were lower in the DEX group at the time of induction (p = 0.052) and in the 1st (p = 0.009) and 20th minutes (p = 0.039) of induction. The mean blood pressure values were lower in the DEX group in the 5th (p < 0.001), 45th (p = 0.003), and 60th (p = 0.05) minutes of induction. The VAS score was lower in the DEX group in the 30th postoperative minute (p = 0.001); however, the VAS score was lower in the control group after the 12th hour (p < 0.001). Postoperative side effects such as nausea, tachycardia, hypotension, and vomiting were significantly less frequent in the DEX group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: We observed that the intraoperative bleeding, hemodynamic stability, and VAS scores were better and the side effects were less frequent in the DEX group.