Opioid requirement and pain intensity after mandibular surgeries with dexmedetomidine administration in two ways: intraoperative infusion versus bolus injection.

purposeThe purpose of this study is to compare the opioid requirement and pain intensity after surgeries of mandibular fractures with administration of dexmedetomidine by two approaches of infusion and single bolus.

methodsIn this double-blind clinical trial, the participants were randomized and matched in terms of age and gender in two groups (infusion and bolus). In both groups, the amount of narcotic used, hemodynamic indices, oxygen saturation, and pain intensity were collected based on the ten-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 7 time points for 24 h. SPSS version 24 software was used for data analysis. A significance level of less than 5% was considered.

resultsA total of 40 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, ASA class, and duration of surgery (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of nausea and vomiting and subsequently receiving anti-nausea medication (P>0.05). The need for opioid consumption after surgery was not different in two groups (P>0.05). Infusion of dexmedetomidine reduced postoperative pain more rapidly than its single bolus dose (P<0.05). However, over time, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of changes in oxygen saturation variables (P>0.05). Homodynamic indices including heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in the bolus group were significantly lower than the infusion group (P<0.05).

conclusionAdministration of dexmedetomidine in the form of infusion can reduce postoperative pain better than bolus injection, with less probability of hypotension and bradycardia.