Effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative adenotonsillectomy oral intake and dehydration

To determine if perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine affects postoperative fluid intake in tonsillectomy patients.

A retrospective chart review was performed at University Medical Center, Texas Tech Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas. The study identified 534 patients within the last five years who met the criteria. Common indications for the surgeries included recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep disordered breathing. Patients with concurrent peritonsillar abscess drainage, microlaryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, supraglottoplasty, and other procedures that may impact fluid intake were excluded. The relationship between dexmedetomidine and fluid intake was evaluated using bivariate analysis as well as multivariable regression to account for possible confounders such as age, concurrent medication, surgery type, and method of surgery using STATA statistical software, version 17.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX).

Administration of dexmedetomidine did not significantly impact the amount of fluid intake, fluid intake per kilogram per hour, or average postoperative pain levels in patients who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in the bivariate analysis (p = 0.217, 0.489, 0.512 respectively) and multiple regression model (p = 0.156, 0.802, 0.795) CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine does not negatively influence postoperative fluid intake levels in patients and should continue to be utilized in appropriately selected patients experiencing anxiety or agitation prior to surgery.