Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Inflammation in Elderly Patients Following Major Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) may have anti-inflammatory properties and potentially reduce the incidence of postoperative organ injury. To investigate whether Dex protects pulmonary and renal function via its anti-inflammatory effects in elderly patients undergoing prolonged major hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Between October 2019 and December 2020, this randomized controlled trial was carried out at a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China. 86 patients aged 60-75 who underwent long-duration (> 4 hrs) hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery without significant comorbidities were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups at a 1:1 ratio. Patients were given either Dex or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline (Placebo) with a loading dose of 1 μg kg-1 for 10 min, followed by 0.5 μg kg-1 hr-1 for maintenance until the end of surgery. The changes in serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were primary outcomes. At one hour postoperatively, serum IL-6 displayed a nine-fold increase (P<0.05) in the Placebo group. Administration of Dex decreased IL-6 to 278.09 ± 45.43 pg/mL (95% CI: 187.75 to 368.43) compared to the Placebo group (P=0.019; 432.16 ± 45.43 pg/mL, 95% CI: 341.82 to 522.50). However, no significant differences in TNF-α were observed between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury was twice as high in the Placebo group (9.30%) compared to the Dex group (4.65%), and the incidence of postoperative acute lung injury was 23.26% in the Dex group, lower than that in the Placebo group (30.23%), although there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Dex administration in elderly patients undergoing major hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery reduces inflammation and potentially protects kidneys and lungs. Chinese Clinical Trials Registry, identifier: ChiCTR1900024162, on 28 June 2019.