OBJECTIVE: Paediatric patients are given premedication in order to decrease preoperative anxiety, allow smooth induction, and prevent postoperative psychological insult and behavioural changes. A child friendly method of administration is desirable. We compared intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine and ketamine in the operating room environment, to evaluate the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) score at the time of establishing intravenous access for induction of general anaesthesia.
METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care center. One hundred patients, 2-10 years of age, ASA physical status 1 & 2, scheduled for general anaesthesia were enrolled. Patient\'s presedation behaviour was assessed by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale Short Form (mYPAS-SF). Patients in Group D received Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg intranasally, and patients in Group K received Ketamine 5 mg/kg intranasally. After 45 min, patients were transferred to the operating table where intravenous cannulation was carried out and the response to needle insertion was assessed by FLACC scale. Vital signs, including the pulse-oximetry, heart rate and respiratory rate were monitored. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and agitation were also recorded.
RESULTS: A significantly higher FLACC score was seen in Group D as compared to Group K (p = 0.001). The mean heart rate between two groups was found to be significantly (p = 0.001) lower in Group D compared to Group K. However, the proportion of adverse events was 8% in patients who received ketamine.
CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal ketamine in a dose of 5 mg/kg is clinically more effective as premedication in children aged 2-10 years in comparison with intranasal dexmedetomidine in a dose of 1 mcg/kg.

The effective relief of postsurgical pain in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy is important to allow the initiation of activities of daily living. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant added to ropivacaine by the intra-articular route.
METHODS: Seventy patients underwent knee arthroscopy which were randomly assigned into two groups (n=35). The RD group received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg intra-articularly. Group R received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg intra-articularly. The analgesic effect was evaluated by measuring the intensity of pain (VAS score) and the duration of analgesia.
RESULTS: A longer duration of the analgesic effect was observed in the RD group (655min) compared to the R group (318min) being statistically significant (p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to intra-articular ropivacaine improves the quality and duration of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of dexmedetomidine impact on cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI), kidney function, and metabolic and oxidative stress in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with heart-lung machine support.
METHODS: A randomized double-masked trial with 238 participants (50-75 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022. The participants were divided into Dex (n=119) and NS (n = 119) groups. Dex was administered at 0.5 mcg/kg over 10minutes, then 0.4 mcg/kg/h until the end of surgery; the NS group received equivalent saline. Blood and urine were sampled at various time points pre- and postsurgery. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of CSA-AKI, defined as the occurrence of AKI within 96hours after surgery.
RESULTS: The incidence of CSA-AKI was significantly lower in the Dex group than in the NS group (18.26% vs 32.46%; P=.014). Substantial increases were found in estimated glomerular filtration rate value at T4-T6 (P<.05) and urine volume 24hours after surgery (P<.01). Marked decreases were found in serum creatinine level, blood glucose level at T1-T2 (P<.01), blood urea nitrogen level at T3-T6 (P<.01), free fatty acid level at T2-T3 (P<.01), and lactate level at T3-T4 (P<.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Dex reduces CSA-AKI, potentially by regulating metabolic disorders and reducing oxidative stress. Registered with the Chinese Clinical Study Registry (No. ChiCTR2100051804).

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis is a therapeutic alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis. The procedure is traditionally performed under general anaesthesia; however, sedation is now gaining in popularity because it reduces the need for vasoactive drugs and shortens the patient\'s stay in the critical care unit and on the ward. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety and potential benefits of sedation with dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis in terms of haemodynamic and respiratory complications.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 222 patients that had undergone percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis between 2012 and 2019 under sedation with either dexmedetomidine plus remifentanil (DEX-RMF) or propofol plus remifentanil (PROPO-RMF). We collected data on complications, mainly haemodynamic and respiratory, during and after the procedure.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found between sedation with dexmedetomidine and propofol (in combination with remifentanil) in terms of haemodynamic stability and intraprocedural cerebral blood oxygen. In the DEX-RMF group, however, mean blood pressure, midazolam dose, and duration of anaesthesia were lower compared with the PROPO-RMF group, but the incidence of haemodynamic and respiratory complications did not differ significantly between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that sedation, particularly with adjuvant dexmedetomidine, is a valid anaesthetic techniques in percutaneous aortic valve prosthesis implantation.

Dexmedetomidine\'s α-adrenoreceptor agonism has been gaining popularity in the anesthetic room as a sedative-hypnotic and analgesic agent, and with extensive perioperative use rising concern about side effects is necessary. Bradycardia and hypotension are common adverse effects, but there are also several reports of excessive urine output, possibly due to vasopressin secretion and permeability of collecting ducts. Polyuria usually resolves with discontinuation of the drug, and significant morbidity has not been reported. Early identification, removal of the agent, and treatment are imperative to minimize complications - mainly natremia and neurological symptoms. This case report describes a dexmedetomidine-related polyuric syndrome during opioid-free general anesthesia for major head and neck surgery. A nephrogenic mechanism for the clinical effect is proposed and reinforced by analytical data obtained. An intra-operative polyuria approach is also delineated.

The aim of the present study is to examine the possible effect de dexmedetomidine on the development of morphine tolerance in rats including nociception, morphine analgesia, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)/ interleukin-1 (IL-1) pathways.
In this study, 36 Wistar Albino (225-245 g) rats were used. Animals were divided into 6 groups: saline (S), 20 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine (D), 5 mg/kg morphine (M), M + D, morphine tolerance (MT), and MT + D. The analgesic effect was measured with hot plate and tail-flick analgesia tests. After the analgesia tests, the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) tissues were excised. Oxidative stress parameters [total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS)], TNF, IL-1 and apoptosis enzymes (Caspase-3, Caspase-9), were measured in DRG tissues.
Dexmedetomidine showed an antinociceptive effect when given alone (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). In addition, dexmedetomidine increased the analgesic effect of morphine (p < 0.001), and also decreased the tolerance to morphine at a significant level (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Moreover, it decreased oxidative stress (p < 0.001) and TNF/IL-1 levels when given as an additional drug of single-dose morphine and morphine tolerance group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, dexmedetomidine decreased Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 levels after tolerance development (p < 0.001).
Dexmedetomidine has antinociceptive properties, and it increases the analgesic effect of morphine and also prevents tolerance development. These effects probably occur by the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Mastectomy is traditionally performed under general anaesthesia and invasive ventilation, and is often complemented with regional techniques. In this setting, tracheal stenosis can pose a challenge to airway management. The aim of this report is to describe the successful management of a 68-year-old woman with severe subglottic tracheal stenosis undergoing mastectomy due to breast cancer. Surgery was performed without airway instrumentation under an opioid-free regimen consisting of thoracic epidural, propofol and dexmedetomidine perfusion, and non-opioid analgesics. Spontaneous ventilation and adequate perioperative analgesia were achieved. Opioid-free anaesthesia without airway instrumentation, consisting of thoracic epidural anaesthesia and sedation, is a good alternative in patients undergoing mastectomy in whom airway manipulation is best avoided.

The effective relief of postsurgical pain in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy is important to allow the initiation of activities of daily living. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant added to ropivacaine by the intra-articular route.
METHODS: Seventy patients underwent knee arthroscopy which were randomly assigned into two groups (n=35). The RD group received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg intra-articularly. Group R received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg intra-articularly. The analgesic effect was evaluated by measuring the intensity of pain (VAS score) and the duration of analgesia.
RESULTS: A longer duration of the analgesic effect was observed in the RD group (655min) compared to the R group (318min) being statistically significant (p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to intra-articular ropivacaine improves the quality and duration of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an anaesthetic agent that mimics natural deep sleep and produces minimal cardiorespiratory depression. As such, it is a very valuable option in the management of such a challenging population as paediatric patients. The main objective of this mini review was to evaluate the role of DEX as a perioperative analgesic in children receiving anaesthesia. We searched Google, Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles published between 2010 and 2021, and reviewed various of aspects of DEX, such as pharmacology, effectiveness, safety, and the most recent evidence on its clinical use as an analgesic in paediatric anaesthesia. We also include a cost estimate of perioperative analgesia with DEX.

Adults patients with congenital heart disease increasingly present for non cardiac surgery. The anesthetic management this type of patients in neurosurgery requires a meticulous surgical anesthetic planning. The need for urgent intervention, with the presence of a congenital heart disease evolved to Eisenmenger syndrome, associated to a difficult airway, is a challenge for the anesthesiologist. The use of dexmedetomidine may be a valid alternative. We present the case of a patient with Down syndrome, and Eisenmenger syndrome who underwent drainage of brain abscess from the emergency department and was subsequently scheduled for reintervention. We compare the different anesthetic techniques used in both procedures, analyzing the implications they had on the main physiopathological alterations presented by the patient.