Comparative Study on Recovery and Post-Operative Analgesic Efficacy from Fentanyl- Versus Dexmedetomidine-Based Anesthesia in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery.

Background: Effective post-operative analgesia and swift recovery are critical for patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery. This study compares the recovery profiles and analgesic efficacy of fentanyl-based anesthesia versus dexmedetomidine-based anesthesia in this patient population. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: Group F (n = 60) received fentanyl-based anesthesia, while Group D (n = 60) received dexmedetomidine-based anesthesia. Recovery profiles were assessed using the Modified Aldrete Score, and post-operative pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included total opioid consumption and the incidence of adverse effects. Results: Group D demonstrated a significantly faster recovery time, with 85% achieving a Modified Aldrete Score of ≥9 within 30 minutes post-surgery compared to 65% in Group F ( Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine-based anesthesia provides superior post-operative analgesia and faster recovery compared to fentanyl-based anesthesia in head and neck cancer surgery. It may be a preferred option for optimizing patient outcomes in this surgical population.