(154) Effect of Dexmedetomidine on PO Intake Postoperatively in Tonsillectomy Patients

Introduction: Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 agonist with sympatholytic, sedative, and anesthetic effects with a half-life of 6 minutes given selectively to patients experiencing anxiety or agitation before surgery. This study aimed to determine if the administration of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy impacted postoperative fluid intake.

Methods: A retrospective chart review at University Medical Center identified 534 patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy who met the criteria from August 2016 to August 2022. Indications for the surgeries included recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing, and speech delay. Patients with concurrent peritonsillar abscess drainage, microlaryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, supraglottoplasty, and other procedures that may impact fluid intake were excluded. The relationship between dexmedetomidine and fluid intake was evaluated using an unpaired t-test via Graphpad Prism.

Results: Administration of dexmedetomidine did not significantly impact the amount of fluid intake (p=0.22), fluid intake per kilogram per hour (p=0.50), nor average postoperative pain levels (p=0.51) in patients who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.

Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine does not influence postoperative fluid intake levels in patients and should continue to be utilized in patients experiencing anxiety or agitation before surgery.