Dexmedetomidine Compared to Ketofol for Sedation in Paediatrics

This double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical study will recruiter anxious children who will undergo dental pulp therapy. The study participants will be allocated into two equal groups. Subjects in group I will receive ketofol solution (ketamine/propofol mixture, each mL contains 5 mg of ketamine plus 10 mg of propofol). A loading dose of 0.125 mL/kg will be administered intravenously (IV) over 10 min, followed by maintenance infusion at a rate of 0.05-0.125 mL/kg/h. Subjects in group II will receive the Dex solution (4 µg/mL). A loading dose of 2 µg/kg will be administered IV over 10 min, followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.1-1 µg/kg/h. Non-invasive blood pressure (mean ABP), peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate will be assessed at baseline, at 2 minutes, then at 5 minutes intervals till 60 minutes. Ramsay sedation and Aldrete's recovery rating scores will be assessed before, during, and after the procedure.

Inclusion criteria

• ASA-I children,
• aged 5-10 years-old,
• requiring dental pulp therapy

Exclusion criteria

• ASA class ≥ II;
• previous experience with GA or Conscious sedation (CS);
• dental treatment expected to exceed 45 minutes;
• history of allergy to local anesthetics, Dex, propofol, ketamine, eggs, or soya;
• respiratory tract infections