Our Experience with the Use of Dexmedetomidine in the Postoperative Period in Surgical Patients

Abstract

The problem of treatment of postoperative pain syndrome remains very relevant, despite the large selection of analgesics of various types, as well as the development of various methods of pain relief. Providing complete pain relief after surgery remains a desirable but not always achievable goal. According to the literature, from 50 to 80% of patients who underwent surgery suffer from severe pain in the postoperative period.

Purpose of the study: To study the efficacy and safety of pain relief technique using intravenous prolonged infusion of dexmedetomidine in combination with NSAIDs and opioids in the early postoperative period in surgical patients.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the surgical clinic of the AMU. The clinical study included 156 patients aged 10 to 35 years after elective abdominal surgery (cholecystectomy, hemicolectomy, etc.). To assess the adequacy of analgesia and the need for the introduction of narcotic analgesics, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain intensity.
Results of the study: The criterion for the effectiveness of analgesia performed in the postoperative period was the reduction of pain according to VAS to 3 and below. The criterion for the introduction of opioids was considered to be an increase in the intensity of pain according to the VAS up to 6-7 points. Mean pain scores between groups at various stages are presented.

Conclusions: The use of prolonged intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine in combination with non-narcotic analgesics in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery can significantly reduce the need for repeated injections of both non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics, improves patient comfort and safety.