Dexmedetomidine vs Fentanyl for BMT

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects must meet all of the following inclusion criteria to be eligible for participation:

• The subject is 6 months to 6 years of age
• The subject's American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status is ASA 1 or 2 (see appendix 1)
• The subject is scheduled for elective bilateral myringotomy with tube placement
• The subject's parent/legally authorized guardian has given written informed consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects will be excluded from study participation if any of the following exclusion criteria exists:

• The subject has a history or a family (parent or sibling) history of malignant hyperthermia
• The subject has known significant renal or hepatic disorders determined by medical history, physical examination or laboratory tests
• The subject has a known or suspected allergy to opioid analgesics or dexmedetomidine
• The subject has history of. cardiovascular issues which would preclude the use of dexmedetomidine, (e.g. Down's Syndrome, dysrhythmias, conditions where hypotension is to be avoided)
• The subject has know central nervous system disease or neurological impairment
• The subject is an ASA classification of 3 or greater (See Appendix 1)
• The subject has a medical condition requiring an intravenous induction (i.e. severe uncontrolled gastro-esophageal reflux)
• The subject refuses inhalation induction
• The subject is scheduled for a surgical sub-procedure (i.e. adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy)