Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
An In Vivo Mouse Model of Total Intravenous Anesthesia During Cancer Resection Surgery
Published on: June 8, 2021
Effect of dexmedetomidine anesthesia on respiratory function in pediatric patients undergoing retinoblastoma
Xi Rong1,2, Chunlei Sun3, Feng Zhang2
1School of Pharmacy of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, P.R. China.
Insights
Dexmedetomidine (Dex) improved respiratory function and hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction in pediatric retinoblastoma (RB) patients. This study found Dex reduced agitation and maintained better oxygen saturation compared to saline in RB resection surgery.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Retinoblastoma (RB) resection in pediatric patients requires careful anesthetic management.
- Maintaining respiratory and hemodynamic stability during induction is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on respiratory function and hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction in pediatric patients undergoing RB resection.
- To compare Dex-based anesthesia with standard saline infusion in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 87 pediatric patients undergoing RB resection.
- Patients received either intravenous Dex or saline for anesthesia maintenance.
- Respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were monitored at five time-points.
- Incidence of adverse events and post-anesthesia recovery were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Dex group showed improved respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation compared to the control group.
- Dex maintained better hemodynamic stability, with higher heart rate and mean arterial pressure.
- No significant differences in the incidence of tachycardia, bradycardia, vomiting, hypoxia, or laryngism were observed.
- The Dex group experienced less severe agitation post-anesthesia.
Conclusions:
- Dexmedetomidine improves respiratory function and hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction in pediatric RB patients.
- Dex may be a beneficial adjunct for managing anesthesia in this specific surgical context.
- Further research could explore optimal Dex dosing and long-term effects.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on the respiratory function during anesthesia induction in pediatric patients undergoing retinoblastoma (RB) resection. A total of 87 pediatric patients who underwent RB resection in Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang were recruited into this study. General anesthesia was first induced for all patients, of which 45 were randomly assigned to the experimental group and received Dex through an intravenous infusion pump to maintain general anesthesia. The remaining 42 patients were assigned to the control group and received saline through an intravenous infusion pump. Respiratory function and hemodynamic indexes at five time-points, i.e., before anesthesia induction (T0), 5 min after injection of anesthetic agents (T1), before intubation (T2), 15 min after intubation (T3), and 30 min after extubation (T4), were recorded and compared. Incidence of perioperative cardiac and respiratory adverse events was counted in both groups, and post-anesthesia resuscitation was evaluated and compared. Compared with T0, the respiratory rate (R) of the experimental group was lower at T1-T4, but there was no statistical difference (P<0.05). Compared with T0, the control group had a higher R at T2, lower R at T3 and T4 (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in R between T0 and T1 (P>0.05). At the same time-point, compared with the experimental group, the R was higher at T2, and lower at T3 and T4 in the control group (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found at T1. Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the experimental group was slightly lower than that of T0 at T1-T4 (P>0.05). In the control group, the levels of SpO2 were significantly lower at T1-T4 than those at T0 (P<0.05). Compared with the experimental group at the same time-point, SpO2 of the control group at T1-T4 decreased significantly (P<0.05). The heart rate (HR) of the experimental and control groups was lower at T1-T4 than that at T0 (P<0.05). The HR of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at T1-T4 (P<0.05). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the experimental and control groups was lower at T1-T4 than that at T0 (P<0.05). MAP of the control group was higher than that of the experimental group at T2 but lower than that at T0 of the control group. MAP of the control group was lower than that of the experimental group at T1-T4. There was no significant difference in incidence of tachycardia, bradycardia, vomiting, hypoxia and laryngism between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no difference in resuscitation and extubation time between the two groups (P>0.05). Finally, agitation of the control group was more severe than that of the experimental group (P<0.05). Therefore, Dex can improve the respiratory function and hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction in children with RB resection.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:27Physiology of Respiration I: Functions of the Respiratory System
Fundamental Processes in Respiration: