title: Dexmedetomidine versus propofol for sedation in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery under sub-Tenon's anesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic, respiratory effects, the recovery profile, surgeons, and patients satisfaction with dexmedetomidine sedation compared with those of propofol sedation in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery under sub-Tenon's anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients were enrolled in this prospective, single-blind, randomized study. The patients were divided into two groups to receive either dexmedetomidine (group D) or propofol (group P). Sedation level was titrated to a Ramsay sedation scale (RSS) of 3. Hemodynamic and respiratory effects, postoperative recovery time, analgesic effects, surgeons and patients satisfaction were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups provided a similar significant reduction in heart rate and mean arterial pressure compared with baseline values. The respiratory rate values of the dexmedetomidine group were significantly higher than those in the propofol group. The oxygen saturation values of the dexmedetomidine group were significantly higher than those of the propofol group. The expired CO(2) was similar in both groups. Postoperatively, the time to achieve an Aldrete score of 10 was similar in both groups. Dexmedetomidine patients have significantly lower visual analog scale for pain than propofol patients. The surgeon satisfaction with patients' sedation was similar for both groups. The patients' satisfaction was higher in the dexmedetomidine group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine at similar sedation levels with propofol was associated with equivalent hemodynamic effects, maintaining an adequate respiratory function, similar time of discharge from PACU, better analgesic properties, similar surgeon's satisfaction, and higher patient's satisfaction. Thus, dexmedetomidine may prove to be a valuable adjuvant for sedation in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery under sub-Tenon's anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Magrabi Eye & Ear Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghali
authors.forename: Abdul Kader
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
authors.forename: Tapio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ihanamäki
authors.forename: Ashraf M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El Btarny