Effect of Dexmedetomidine on the Prevention of Emergence Agitation in Children Undergoing Day Surgery

Emergence agitation/delirium (EA/ED) is a common complication in pediatric surgery patients, which increases the risk of developing postoperative airway obstruction and respiratory depression. In infants, there is a high incidence of emergence agitation (EA) after desoflurane anesthesia. The aim of the present preliminary study was to determine the safety and efficacy of of intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) that would prevent postoperative EA and ED in children undergoing day surgery with desoflurane anesthesia