Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
05:39

Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia

Published on: May 26, 2023

2.7K

The impact of clonidine on sedation after adenotonsillectomy: a prospective audit

Lee Blackburn1, Kaye Ottaway, Brian J Anderson

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|June 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Intraoperative clonidine in children undergoing tonsillectomy prolonged anesthesia emergence. Higher doses increased sedation in the postanesthesia care unit but did not affect hospital discharge times.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Clonidine is used intraoperatively to reduce emergence delirium in pediatric patients.
  • Its precise impact on postoperative sedation and recovery timelines remains insufficiently quantified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the effect of intraoperative clonidine on postoperative sedation and discharge times in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
  • To investigate the dose-dependent relationship between clonidine and anesthesia emergence.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective audit of 177 children (≤15 years) undergoing (adeno)tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
  • Anesthesia maintained with sevoflurane; clonidine use at anesthesiologist's discretion.
  • Postoperative sedation assessed using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS); emergence half-time and discharge times analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 73 children received clonidine (0.29-4.80 mcg·kg(-1)).
  • Clonidine increased emergence half-time, with higher doses leading to longer emergence (e.g., 4 mcg·kg(-1) resulted in 65 min).
  • Clonidine doses of 0.5-3 mcg·kg(-1) did not impact hospital discharge times.

Conclusions:

  • Intraoperative clonidine administration prolongs anesthesia emergence in pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
  • While moderate doses (0.5-3 mcg·kg(-1)) increase sedation post-anesthesia, they do not delay hospital discharge.
Abstract

Keywords:
adenotonsillectomychildrenclonidinepharmacodynamicssedation

More Related Videos

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.7K
CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults05:07

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults

Published on: November 6, 2019

29.2K

Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
960
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
2.3K
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
2.5K
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
1.2K
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
1.1K
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway01:29

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
6.4K