Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to tonsillectomy compared with opioid or sham in children.
Data source: Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from inception of article collections to April 2017.
Review methods: Prospective, randomized controlled studies that compared outcomes between children who underwent tonsillectomy plus dexmedetomidine administration (intervention) and children who underwent tonsillectomy with placebo or opioid (control) were systemically and independently reviewed by two researchers. The outcomes of interest were emergence agitation, postoperative pain intensity, rescue analgesic consumption, and other morbidities (nausea and vomiting and agitation).
Results: Fifteen studies with n = 1,552 met the inclusion criteria. Postoperative pain scores and the need for analgesics in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) were significantly decreased in the dexmedetomidine group versus the control group. The incidence and degree of agitation and desaturation incidence in the PACU also were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the duration of staying PACU between both groups. In subgroup analyses by administration method (bolus injection or continuous injection), dexmedetomidine was shown to be effective at reducing postoperative morbidities regardless of administration method.
Conclusion: Perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine can provide pain and agitation relief without side effects in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Considering the high heterogeneity of results within some parameters; however, further clinical trials with robust research methodology should be conducted to confirm the results of this study. Laryngoscope, 128:E184-E193, 2018.
Keywords: Children; agitation; laryngospasm; pain; tonsillectomy.
© 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.