Psychosedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride during minor oral surgery

We performed intravenous sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride during minor oral surgery and compared this agent with propofol. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (D) and propofol (P) groups. In Group D, systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased immediately after the start of initial loading, although no significant differences were noted. Both SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) gradually decreased during maintenance administration and were significantly lower than pretreatment values. The heart rate decreased immediately after the start of administration and was significantly lower during both initial loading and maintenance administration; the heart rate was also significantly lower than that in Group P. In Group D, arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) significantly decreased after the sedation level reached an optimum level until the end of administration. The bispectral index (BIS) value gradually decreased during initial loading. At the optimal sedation level, it decreased to 80 to 85. During maintenance administration, marked changes were observed in this parameter. No marked differences in amnestic effects and comfort were noted between the 2 groups. If the sedation level can be evaluated accurately via another objective method, intravenous sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride may be useful in dental treatment.