Comparison of the Sedative and Analgesic Effects of Dexmedetomidine-Remifentanil and Dexmedetomidine-Sufentanil for Liposuction: A Prospective Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Dexmedetomidine had sedative and analgesic effects and did not produce significant respiratory depression at therapeutic doses.

Aims: To compare the sedative and analgesic effects and safety of dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil or sufentanil in patients undergoing liposuction.

Methods: A total of 100 subjects were randomized 1:1 to two groups: Group R and Group S. First, patients were administered midazolam 0.02 mg·kg. Anesthesia was induced with an intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 1 µg kg (15 min) and remifentanil 0.1 µg kg min (Group R) or sufentanil 0.1 µg kgh (Group S). Anesthesia was maintained with an intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 1.0 µg kgh, midazolam 0.015 mg kgh, remifentanil 0.1 µg kgmin (Group R), or sufentanil 0.1 µg kgh (Group S). Hemodynamic and respiratory changes, modified OAA/S score and BIS values, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale pain scores, satisfaction of the patient and surgical team with the procedure, and adverse events and recovery time were recorded.

Results: Group R received significantly less midazolam and midazolam per hour compared to Group S (Group R vs. Group S: 3.4 ± 1.7 mg vs. 5.1 ± 2.0 mg, P < 0.0001; 1.5 ± 0.7 mg/h vs. 1.9 ± 0.6 mg/h, P = 0.002). The incidence of physical or verbal expressions of pain at the start of surgery was significantly lower in Group R compared to Group S (2 [4.3%] vs. 12 [26.7%], P = 0.003). Patient satisfaction with the procedure was significantly higher in Group R compared to Group S (3.9 ± 0.3 vs. 3.1 ± 0.3, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine-remifentanil and dexmedetomidine-sufentanil were effective and safe sedative and analgesic agents for liposuction. Hemodynamic stability was maintained. Dexmedetomidine-remifentanil might be associated with improved analgesic effects compared to dexmedetomidine-sufentanil.

Level Of Evidence Ii: Evidence was obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .