Fentanyl versus dexmedetomidine effect on agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia

Abstract

Sixty ASA physical status I and II children aged 3 - 6 years were included in this study. After inhalation induction with sevoflurane, patients were randomly assigned to receive either Saline (group 1, n=20), fentanyl 1 mic /kg IV (group II, n=20) or dexmedetomidine 0.3mic/kg IV (group III, n=20)10 minutes before discontinuation of anesthetics. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the three groups regarding age, weight, duration of anesthesia, duration of surgery, time to eye opening, modified Aldrete recovery scores and post operative complication. The time of first postoperative analgesic dose was significantly shorter in group I compared with other two groups. The incidence of agitation was significantly higher in group I compared with other two groups, the incidence of agitation was 40% in Group I, 15% in Group II and 20% in Group III. In conclusion, the dose of fentanyl 1 mic/kg iv or dexmedetomidine 0.3mic/kg iv that is administered 10 minutes before the termination of anesthesia reduces the postoperative agitation in children with no adverse effects.