Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of dexmedetomidine infusion on laryngeal mask airway removal and postoperative recovery in children anaesthetised with sevoflurane.
We investigated the effects of dexmedetomidine infusion on the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane required for smooth removal of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and on the incidence of respiratory complications during postoperative recovery in paediatric patients anaesthetised with sevoflurane. Eighty-seven patients (ASA 1 or 2, aged 3-7 years) were randomly allocated to receive saline (Group C), 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine (Group D(1)), or 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine (Group D(2)) after LMA insertion. A predetermined end-tidal sevoflurane concentration for each patient was determined using the Dixon's up-and-down method (starting at 2.2% and step was 0.2%). ⋯ The incidence of breath-holding was significantly lower in Group D(2) (3%) than in Group C (27%; P=0.009), but comparable between Groups D(1) (17%) and C (P=0.385). The incidence of severe coughing was significantly lower in Groups D(1) (14%) and D(2) (6%) as compared to Group C (39%; P=0.005), but comparable between Groups D(1) and D(2) (P=0.323). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine infusion produced a dose-dependent decrease in the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane required for smooth LMA removal in children and was associated less agitation in the post-anaesthetic care unit.