CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINEASAN INTRAOPERATIVE ADJUVANT IN REDUCING EMERGENCE AGITATION AFTER ORAL AND NASAL SURGERY

Abstract

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a postoperative complication characterized by confusion, disorientation, and restlessness during recovery from general anaesthesia. It is more commonly observed in ENT surgeries, particularly oral and nasal procedures, due to airway discomfort and rapid emergence from volatile anaesthetics. Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, has been widely studied for its sedative, anxiolytic, and sympatholytic  properties in reducing EA. Methodology: This prospective randomized comparative study was conducted in the Department ofAnaesthesiology, Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam, from February 2025 to January 2026. A total of 100 patients aged 20–60 years, ASA I–II, undergoing elective oral and nasal surgeries under general anaesthesia were included and randomly allocated into two groups of 50 each. Group D received dexmedetomidine intraoperatively, while Group C received standard anaesthetic management. Demographic variables, haemodynamic parameters, and incidence of emergence agitation were recorded and analysed using appropriate statistical tests. Both groups were comparable in age and gender distribution (p>0.05). Group D showed better haemodynamic stability and significantly reduced emergence agitation compared to Group C. Patients receiving dexmedetomidine had smoother extubation, improved sedation profiles, and lower postoperative agitation scores without significant respiratory depression. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is an effective intraoperative adjuvant in reducing emergence agitation and improving recovery quality in patients undergoing oral and nasal surgeries under general anaesthesia.