The Efficacy of Local Dexmedetomidine During Fiberoptic Nasotracheal Intubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background And Aims: The present study was designed and carried out aiming to evaluate the effects of local dexmedetomidine (Dex) on sedation rate and hemodynamic changes in candidate patients for fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation.

Material And Methods: Candidate patients for fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation were randomly divided into three groups including intravenous (IV) Dex group, local Dex group, and control group. Local anesthesia using lidocaine was performed in all patients. After performing the intubation, propofol infusion was used to keep the patients on predetermined cerebral state index (CSI). Hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood O saturation (SpO), and CSI were monitored in all patients before, during, and after the procedure. Coughing score, intubation score, and patient tolerance score during and after nasotracheal intubation were assessed. Propofol consumption was also measured.

Results: A total of 95 patients with the mean age of 45.4 ± 6.7 years were evaluated (54.2% of females). Hemodynamic parameters and SpO were significantly different between the three groups ( < 0.001). The dose of propofol used for reaching proper CSI was significantly higher in the control group compared to IV and local Dex groups ( < 0.001). There is no significant statistical difference in propofol consumption between local and IV Dex groups. The number of patients who were cooperative during intubation was higher in local Dex group compared to IV Dex and control groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: It is likely that using local Dex during fiberoptic bronchoscopy decreases sudden changes in hemodynamic values and decreases coughing and improves patient tolerance and intubation scores. Local Dex can be useful as IV form with the aim of propofol dose saving.