Premedication with intranasal versus intravenous dexmedetomidine for hypotensive anesthesia during functional endoscopic sinus surgery in adults: A randomized triple-blind trial

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) has been performed under controlled hypotension to increase operating field visibility. Intranasal (IN) dexmedetomidine is easy, noninvasive, and possesses lower C max, accompanied by lower pharmacodynamic action, including hypotension, bradycardia, and sedation. This trial aimed to compare IN and intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine for hypotensive anesthesia during FESS. This randomized, controlled, triple-blinded clinical trial involved sixty cases scheduled for FESS. Patients were divided into two equal groups by random manner. 45-60 min before anesthesia induction, group IN: received 1 g/kg IN dexmedetomidine diluted in 10 ml of saline 0.9 % intranasally preoperative. Group IV: received 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine diluted in 10 ml of saline 0.9 % infused over 10 min. The primary outcome was the total amount of administered atropine. The secondary outcomes included hemodynamic, through 1 h before surgery, intraoperatively and postoperatively at different time intervals. The quality of the operative field, sedation, adverse reactions and hemostatic stuffing after FESS were also assessed. The total amount of consumed atropine decreased significantly in group IN compared to group IV. Preoperative Ramsay Sedation scores at T0, T5, T50 and T60 were comparable between the two groups, while at T10, T15, T20, T30, and T40 were lower significantly in the IN group compared with the IV group. Preoperative mean arterial blood pressure at T0, T5 and T60 had comparable differences across both groups while reduced at T10 to T 45 significantly in the IV group than IN group. Both groups had comparable satisfaction, postoperative Ramsey sedation, hemostatic suffering, quality of operative field and complications. In conclusion, IN dexmedetomidine administration is relatively simple and appropriate; moreover, it decreases first-pass metabolism. Onset is prolonged relative to IV dosing; thus, it should be administered nearly 1 h before surgery and recommended in adult patients as they require minor sedation preoperatively.