Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30008121›Full record

SynthesisEuropean journal of clinical pharmacology2018

Dexmedetomidine as a sedative and analgesic adjuvant in spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Georgia G Tsaousi, Chryssa Pourzitaki, Simone Aloisio, Federico Bilotta

2 registry-linked trialsAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European journal of clinical pharmacology, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 21 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
21citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
6.0field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07523321 phase4not yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Effect of Perioperative Use of Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination on Incidence of Moderate-to-severe Pain After Spinal Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorPeking University First HospitalRan2026 to 2027Enrolled274ConditionsSpinal Surgery, Pain Intensity, Dexmedetomidine, EsketamineArmsCombined dexmedetomidine-esketamine administration, Placebo administration
NCT07525999 phase4not yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Effect of Perioperative Use of Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination on Incidence of Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Spinal Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorPeking University First HospitalRan2026 to 2027Enrolled274ConditionsSpinal Surgery, Pain Intensity, Dexmedetomidine, EsketamineArmsCombined dexmedetomidine-esketamine administration, Placebo administration
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

21 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 46 citations in OpenAlex.

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  5. Is the bulbocavernosus reflex reliable under dexmedetomidine administration in children? -An analysis during tethered cord surgery.Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery · 2026
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  7. Targeting neuroinflammation and PVNMaterials today. Bio · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Georgia G TsaousiDepartment of Anesthesiology and ICU, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Maiandrou 32, GR 54645, Thessaloniki, Greece. tsaousig@otenet.gr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3806-837X
Chryssa PourzitakiDepartment of Anesthesiology and ICU, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Maiandrou 32, GR 54645, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Simone AloisioDepartment of Anesthesiology and ICU, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, IT 00185, Rome, Italy.
Federico BilottaDepartment of Anesthesiology and ICU, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, IT 00185, Rome, Italy.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki · GRSapienza University of Rome · IT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis appraise the clinical evidence on efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine (DEX), as a sedative and analgesic adjunct in adult patients undergoing spine surgery.

methodsA database search was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) pertinent to the perioperative use of DEX in spine surgery. Sedative and analgesic efficacy of DEX constituted the primary outcomes, whilst the incidence of hemodynamic changes, quality of recovery and occurrence of adverse events served as secondary ones.

resultsFifteen studies enrolling a total of 913 patients were selected for qualitative analysis, among which eight RCTs incorporating a placebo comparison group were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the retrieved studies were of moderate to good quality and demonstrated an acceptable risk of bias. DEX-treated patients showed a significant reduction of both propofol [mean difference (MD), -214.47 mg; 95%CI, -253.16 to -175.78; P < 0.001] and morphine equivalents consumption both intraoperatively and postoperatively (MD, -2.69; 95% CI, -3.05 to -2.33; P < 0.001 and MD, -4.36 mg; 95%CI, -6.93 to -1.79; P < 0.001, respectively) compared to those assigned to placebo. Postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence were comparable between DEX and placebo groups, whilst other adverse events were not consistently reported.

conclusionsDEX emerges as an attractive alternative to standard sedative and analgesic modalities applied in spine surgery, by attaining a notable sedative and opioid-sparing effect, which goes with an enhanced safety profile. Yet, no definite conclusion can be drawn due to the considerable heterogeneity of available data.

trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42015029537.

Indexed as

Analgesics, OpioidDexmedetomidineHumansHypnotics and SedativesNeurosurgical ProceduresPerioperative CarePostoperative Nausea and VomitingPostoperative PainRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSpineAnalgesics, OpioidDexmedetomidineHypnotics and SedativesAnalgesic efficacyDexmedetomidinePONV, adverse eventsSedative efficacySpine surgery

Identifiers

PMID30008121
OpenAlexW2884620789

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.