Comparison of the effects of dezocine, fentanyl, and placebo on emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and adverse events of dezocine with that of fentanyl or placebo for the control of emergence agitation. 114 children scheduled for adenotonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia were allocated randomly into 1 of the 3 groups to receive dezocine 0.1 mgxkg(-1) (group D, n=38), fentanyl 1 μg×kg(-1) (group F, n=38), or saline (group S, n=38) just before the end of anesthesia. Emergence agitation scores were assessed. Postoperative pain scores, awakening and extubation times, and the incidence of adverse effects were recorded. Emergence agitation scores, the incidence of emergence agitation and severe emergence agitation were significantly lower in groups D and F than in group S (p=0.021, p=0.018, and p=0.028, respectively). The postoperative pain scores were lower in groups D and F as compared to group S (p=0.01). Awakening and extubation times in groups D and F were longer than that of group S (p=0.001 and p=0.000, respectively). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was higher in group F compared to that in groups D and S (p=0.01). In children undergoing adenotonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia, a single IV injection of dezocine 0.1 mgxkg(-1) and fentanyl 1 μg×kg(-1) were comparable in decreasing the incidence and severity of emergence agitation. However, the use of dezocine was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative side effects.