Emergence Agitation Between Dexmedetomidine and Sevoflurane Anesthesia

Surgery for pediatric cleft lip and palate repair often utilizes high dose opioids and inhaled anaesthesia, thereby causing postoperative complications such as desaturation and/or severe agitation after anesthesia. These complications are detrimental to the child, medical personnel and causes tremendous psychologic stress to parents. This study aims to decrease these complications through Dexmedetomidine, an Alpha-2 receptor agonist with anxiolytic, sympatholytic and analgetic properties. Devoid of respiratory depressant effect, it allows patients to maintain effective ventilation and reduce agitation, postoperatively. Its unique anesthetic property may shed light to provide safe anesthesia and gentle emergence to this young, vulnerable population.