The Impact of a Dexmedetomidine Perfusion on Intraoperative Remifentanil Consumption

Opioids analgesic have been used for intraoperative pain management for decades. They are the gold standard for pain relief due to their high efficacy. However, the short- and long-term adverse effects of opioids motivate anesthesia teams to explore opioid sparing strategies employing a combination of analgesics and adjuvants via continuous infusions. Opioid tolerance and opioid-induced hyperalgesia can lead to dose escalation of prescribed opioids and poor pain control.

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 adrenergic receptor agonist that could help minimize opioid consumption both intraoperative and postoperative due to its sedative, analgesic and sympatholytic properties. Other post-procedure applications such as reduction of cough, agitation and shivering have been described.

Many trials have studied the impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on post-operative pain scores, post-operative opioids consumption and common side effects compared with a remifentanil intraoperative infusion. One randomized controlled trial studied the impact of a 30 min dexmedetomidine infusion on intraoperative remifentanil consumption in ASA 1-2 patients undergoing maxillofacial or cervicofacial surgeries. They found a clinically meaningful reduction of 33% of remifentanil consumption at 120 minutes in the dexmedetomidine group. This trial aims to demonstrate a similar reduction when extending to ASA 3 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Furthermore, the investigators aim to evaluate patients' recovery and pain status 24h after the surgery which hasn't been done before in the context of joint dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusion. The investigators hypothesize that patients of the dexmedetomidine infusion group will require less intraoperative remifentanil to keep the NOL-index into the prespecified range. In the PACU, lower pain score et less opioids requirements are anticipated.

Inclusion criteria

• ASA 1-3
• Laparascopic surgery (including general surgery, gynecology, urology) a small abdominal incision (less than 5 cm) will be tolerated.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient refusal
• Chronic use of opioids
• Allergy to medication used in the trial
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Contraindications to dexmedetomidine (Bradycardia, arrythmia or pace- maker, severe ventricular dysfunction)