Effects of the Two Doses of Dexmedetomidine on Sedation, Agitation, and Bleeding During Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy

: Background: Due to importance of dexmedetomidine and its different dosages, here we aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of 1 µg/kg and 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine in sedation, agitation and bleeding in pediatrics undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Methods: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed in 2020 in Isfahan on 105 pediatric patients that were candidates of adenotonsillectomy. Then patients were divided into three groups receiving 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine, 1 µg/kg diluted dexmedetomidine and normal saline. The drugs were administered 15 minutes before operations via intravenous method. The duration of extubation, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heat rate (HR) and SPO2 in the recovery were recorded. We also collected data regarding patient’s sedation and agitation every 15 minutes. Results: Our data showed no significant differences between groups of patients regarding MAP, HR and SPO2. But the mean sedation score was significantly higher in patients receiving 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine and this score was lowest in the control group at the time of entrance to the recover. The patients that received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine had the lowest agitation score after 45 minutes in the recovery and the patients treated with 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine had the lowest agitation score after 60 minutes in the recovery compared to other groups of patients. Conclusions: The use of 1 µg/kg and 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine were associated with proper sedation and significant reduction in agitation. The patients had also lower amounts of bleeding. We recommend that anesthesiologists should pay more attention to 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine especially in pediatric surgical procedures.