The effects of intra-operative dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, side-effects and recovery in colorectal surgery

Abstract

In this double‐blind, randomised study, 100 patients undergoing open or conventional laparoscopic colorectal surgery received an intra‐operative loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1 μg.kg−1 followed by an infusion of 0.5 μg.kg−1.h−1, or a bolus and infusion of saline 0.9% of equivalent volume. Forty‐six patients in the dexmedetomidine group and 50 in the saline group completed the study. The area under the curve of numerical rating scores for pain at rest for 1–48 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the patients receiving dexmedetomidine (p = 0.041). There was no difference in morphine consumption, duration of recovery ward or hospital stay. From the data obtained in this study, we calculated a number needed to treat for effective pain relief of 4. Intra‐operative dexmedetomidine in colorectal surgery resulted in a reduction in resting pain scores, but there was no morphine‐sparing effect or improvement in patients' recovery outcome measures.