Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine Compared to Propofol in Pain Pump Placement Procedures

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the use of propofol to dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (Precedex®) in patients undergoing pain pump placements at University Physicians Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed evaluating anesthesia charts from December 2009 through February 2011. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), surgery time, and length of stay in the PACU were collected for both treatment groups. Demographic variables were also collected including age, sex, medical condition for which they are having a procedure performed, other co-morbid conditions and concurrent medications. RESULTS: Charts were reviewed for 8 dexmedetomidine patients and 16 propofol patients. There was no statistical difference among the groups with regard to demographics. The groups had similar procedural average systolic blood pressures, diastolic blood pressures, and heart rate (p = 0.93; p = 0.56, p = 0.37 respectively). The procedure time and recovery time in the PACU were similar between the dexmedetomidine group and propofol group (p = 0.52; p = 0.25, respectively). The endpoint respiratory rate was significantly lower in the propofol group (p = 0.05). There was no difference in additional sedative-analgesic medication use. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine does not offer any clinical advantages to propofol when used as anesthesia for pain pump placement.