Pain, fentanyl consumption, and delirium in adolescents after scoliosis surgery: dexmedetomidine vs midazolam.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The study aim was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for sedation during the early postoperative period in adolescents who underwent scoliosis surgery.

METHODS:

We performed a prospective, randomized trial in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary care center. In this study, 42 patients (American Society of Anesthesiology physical status I and II) who underwent scoliosis surgery were divided into two groups according to sedation protocols: group dexmedetomidine (DEX) (n = 22) and group midazolam (MDZ) (n = 20). Adolescents (12-18 years) requiring mechanical ventilation underwent a continuous infusion of either dexmedetomidine (group DEX; starting dose, 0.4 μg·kg(-1) ·h(-1)) or midazolam (group MDZ; starting dose, 0.1 mg·kg(-1) ·h(-1)) with intermittent fentanyl, as needed. The efficacy of sedation was assessed using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS). Quality of pain relief was measured using the Numeric Visual Analog Scale (NVAS). Delirium was determined in patients in the RASS range of -2 to +1 using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Fentanyl consumption, incidence of delirium, NVAS scores, and hemodynamics were recorded postoperatively at 2, 4, 6, and 24 h in the ICU.

RESULTS:

The NVAS pain scores and fentanyl consumption at all the evaluation time points were significantly higher in group MDZ than those in group DEX (P < 0.05). Further, total fentanyl consumption in group MDZ was significantly higher than that in group DEX (P < 0.05). Delirium was significantly higher in the group MDZ than that in group DEX (31.3% vs 12.5%) when analyzed as the endpoint of CAM-ICU (P < 0.05). The heart rate was significantly lower in group DEX compared with that in group MDZ at all the evaluation time points (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Dexmedetomidine was associated with the decreased postoperative fentanyl consumption, NVAS scores, and a decreased incidence of delirium. These findings may be beneficial for managing sedation protocols in adolescents who have undergone scoliosis surgery.

• Authors: Mustafa S Aydogan, Mehmet F Korkmaz, Ulkü Ozgül, Mehmet A Erdogan, Aytac Yucel, Abdurrahman Karaman, Turkan Togal, Mahmut Durmus, Cemil Colak
• Journal: Paediatric anaesthesia (Paediatr Anaesth) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 446-52 (May 2013) ISSN: 1460-9592 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 23448434 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Dexmedetomidine
• Midazolam
• Fentanyl

Topics

• Adolescent
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anesthesia, General
• Arterial Pressure (drug effects)
• Child
• Conscious Sedation (methods)
• Critical Care
• Delirium (etiology)
• Dexmedetomidine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Fentanyl (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Midazolam (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Orthopedic Procedures
• Pain Management (methods)
• Pain Measurement
• Pain, Postoperative (drug therapy, psychology)
• Prospective Studies
• Psychomotor Agitation (psychology)
• Scoliosis (surgery)