Dexmedetomidine for preventing sevoflurane-related emergence agitation in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Emergence agitation (EA) is a common problem after sevoflurane anesthesia in children. Prophylactic dexmedetomidine has been directed at this issue; however, the efficacy remains controversial. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine on the incidence of sevoflurane-related EA. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify RCTs that compared dexmedetomidine with placebo about the reduction in the incidence of sevoflurane-related EA for children. Heterogeneity between studies was anticipated; therefore, random effects models were chosen to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), and I(2) statistics were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. The funnel plot and Egger test were used to assess potential publication bias. Subgroup analysis was run to explore the possible effects of age, surgical procedure, regional block/local anesthetics, supplemental analgesic, propofol, N2O, pre-medication and methodological quality on the incidence of EA using dexemedetomidine. Totally, 15 RCTs were included (518 patients received dexmedetomidine and 413 had placebo). Dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of sevofurane-related EA (pooled RR = 0.351; 95% CI: 0.275-0.449; P = 0.965; heterogeneity test, I(2) = 0.0%), and it also resulted in a lower incidence of severe EA (pooled RR = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.033-0.422; P = 0.962; heterogeneity test, I(2) = 0.0%). All subgroup analyses for potential sources of heterogeneity showed a lower incidence of sevoflurane-related EA after dexmedetomidine administration. This meta-analysis demonstrated that dexemedetomidine was effective in reducing the incidence of sevoflurane-induced EA in children as compared with placebo.