title: Comparison of Dexmedetomidine versus Propofol for Sedation after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adequate sedation is important in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to ensure patient comfort and decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), PACU stay, and bleeding. This study aimed to compare dexmedetomidine and propofol as sedatives after UPPP in the PACU.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 124 mechanically ventilated adults following UPPP who were managed in the PACU of the General Hospital of the Shenyang Military Region between January 2014 and June 2014, to receive either dexmedetomidine or propofol. The patients in the propofol group received an infusion of propofol (3 mg/kg/h) titrated up to 6 mg/kg/h to attain a Ramsay sedation score ≥4. The dexmedetomidine group patients received 1.0 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine over a period of 10 minutes and then 0.5 to 1.0 μg/kg/h infusion to maintain a Ramsay sedation score ≥4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bispectral index (BIS) values were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the propofol group at Ramsay sedation scores of 4 and 5. The mean times to spontaneous breathing, waking, and extubation were shorter in the dexmedetomidine group. Tramadol requirement was significantly reduced in the dexmedetomidine group (P<0.05). Incidence of cough during the extubation process in the propofol group was higher than in the dexmedetomidine group. After extubation, Bruggemann comfort scale (BCS) and Rass agitation scores (RASS) were decreased in the dexmedetomidine-sedated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine provides safe and effective sedation for post-UPPP surgical patients and significantly reduces the use of analgesics, with minimal adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jihong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Chunji
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xiaopeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D015742:Propofol