To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the quality of recovery from sevoflurane-based anesthesia in the patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Eighty patients of both sexes, aged 30-64 yr, weighing 45-80 kg, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery, were randomly assigned into 2 groups(n=40 each)using a random number table: control group(group C)and dexmedetomidine group(group D). After routine induction of anesthesia, all the patients were tracheally intubated, and mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane inhalation and intermittent iv boluses of sufentanil and cisatracurium besylate, and bispectral index values were maintained at 45-60.After induction of anesthesia, dexmedetomidine was infused in a dose of 1 μg/kg over 15 min, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.6 μg·kg^-1·h^-1 until 30 min before the end of surgery in group D. Group C received normal saline instead.Heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)were recorded at the end of surgery, and at 1 min before and after extubation.The emergence time, extubation time, and occurrence of bucking during extubation, and nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, and agitation during recovery from anesthesia were recorded.

Compared with group C, MAP and HR were significantly decreased at 1 min before and after extubation, the emergence time and extubation time were shortened, the incidence of bucking, nausea and vomiting, and agitation was decreased, and no significant change was found in the incidence of respiratory depression in group D.

Dexmedetomidine infused in a dose of 1 μg/kg after routine induction of anesthesia, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.6 μg·kg^-1·h^-1 until 30 min before the end of surgery, can significantly increase the quality of recovery from sevoflurane-based anesthesia in the patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Dexmedetomidine; Anesthetics, inhalation; Anesthesia recovery period; Laparotomy