title: Intramuscular dexmedetomidine premedication--an alternative to midazolam-fentanyl-combination in elective hysterectomy?
abstract: Sedation, anxiolysis, intubation responses and fentanyl anaesthetic requirements were investigated in a double-blind, randomized study in twenty ASA I-II elective hysterectomy patients. Ten patients received dexmedetomidine 2.5 micrograms kg-1 i.m. 60 min before induction and saline placebo i.v. 2 min prior to induction (= DP group). Ten patients received midazolam 0.08 mg kg-1 i.m. 60 min and fentanyl 1.5 micrograms kg-1 i.v. (= MF group) 2 min before induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone 4 mg kg-1. Anaesthesia was maintained with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen and with fentanyl 2 micrograms kg-1 i.v. increments according to predetermined criteria. Both premedications induced sedation (P < 0.01 in both groups) and anxiolysis (P < 0.01 in DP vs P < 0.05 in MF group) without any differences between the groups. Haemodynamic changes following tracheal intubation did not significantly differ between the groups. Intraoperatively systolic and diastolic arterial pressure were 15% and 13% lower in DP group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for drug effect), the mean heart rate was approximately 9 beats min-1 lower in DP group (n.s.). Fentanyl was required more often in MF group: median 3.5 (QD 1.5) vs. 2.5 (QD 0.5) times in DP group (P < 0.05), the total amount being 57% smaller in DP group: 0.03 (QD 0.01) vs. 0.07 (QD 0.02) micrograms kg-1 min-1 (P < 0.05). Postoperative course and analgesic requirements were similar in both groups. Dexmedetomidine premedication may offer an alternative to current anaesthesia practice in elective hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Turku University Hospital, Orion Corporation Farmos R&D, Finland.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jaakola
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scheinin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kallio
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D020926:Medetomidine; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; D010919:Placebos; D020926:Medetomidine; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl