Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Glucose and Insulin Levels.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Glucose Levels and Insulin Secretion Patterns in Obese Patients With Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

This study investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed. Consenting obese adult patients with impaired glucose tolerance, undergoing bariatric surgery, were randomized, by a computer, to receive placebo (0.9% Sodium-chloride) or dexmedetomidine 1 ug/kg bolus in 10 minutes followed by an infusion of 0.5 ug/kg/h until the end of surgery. Baseline HgbA1c, glucose, and insulin plasmatic levels were measured. Subsequently, glucose and insulin levels were taken every 2 hours during the first 12 hours from the onset of the drug infusion. Intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative morphine consumption, pain score, the occurrence of emesis, and postoperative sedation levels were recorded as secondary outcomes.

After anesthesia induction, patients who were randomized to the Dexmedetomidine group received a bolus of 1ug/kg in 10 minutes, followed by an infusion of 0.5ug/kg/h until the end of surgery. In the case of intraoperative increment of the blood pressure and/or heart rate more than 25% from its baseline, fentanyl 1ug/kg was administered.

After anesthesia induction, patients who were randomized to the Placebo group received a bolus and infusion of 0.9% normal saline at the same rate as the Dexmedetomidine group until the end of surgery. In the case of intraoperative increment of the blood pressure and/or heart rate more than 25% from its baseline, fentanyl 1ug/kg was administered.

Intraoperative fentanyl was given in case of 25% increment in the blood pressure and/or heart rate in comparison to baseline (previous anesthesia induction).

Boluses of 3mg of intravenous morphine were given in the postoperative acute care unit. Once the pain score was equal or less than 3/10 the patient-controlled analgesia pumps were installed and the patients were discharged to their room.

Baseline levels(T0) and at hour 2(T1), 4(T2), 6(T3), 8(T4), 10(T5), and 12(T6) after the onset of bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine

Baseline levels(T0) and at hour 2(T1), 4(T2), 6(T3), 8(T4), 10(T5), and 12(T6) after the onset of bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine

Visual analogue scale (VAS), provided by patients, ranging from 0 to 10 (0= no pain and 10= worst possible pain). We considered a pain score between 1-3, 4-6 and 7-10 as mild, moderate and severe pain, respectively.

Sedation-agitation scale (SAS), ranging from 1 to 7 (1=unarousable, 2=very sedated, 3=sedated, 4=calm and cooperative, 5=agitated, 6=very agitated and 7=dangerous agitation).

Inclusion Criteria: Obese patient (BMI>30) American Society of Anesthesiologists grades II or III Diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance Undergoing sleeve gastrectomy Exclusion Criteria: Baseline glucose > 200mg/dl Diagnosis of Diabetes Under corticosteroids treatment Oral hypoglycemic medication within 7 days previous surgery Use of insulin within 24h previous surgery Allergy to any drug used in the study