Dexmedetomidine in Reducing Incidence of Emergence Agitation After Nasal Surgery

Various pharmacological interventions have been attempted previously to prevent postoperative EA with variable results. These include use of opioids, propofol, midazolam, ketamine, magnesium and alpha-2 agonists like clonidine and dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine have been used with different dosages and different timings of administration with variable results and at the expense of major hemodynamic disturbances. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of single dose of dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg) administered as 30 minutes infusion prior to extubation in reducing the incidence and severity of EA and coughing on extubation.