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Dexmedetomidine vs Fentanyl for Awake
Fiberoptic Intubation in Paediatric Patients
with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis:
A Retrospective Analysis
UC14-UC17
Correspondence
Depinder Kaur,
Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, SHKM, GMC Nalhar,
Nuh-122107, Haryana, India.
E-mail: pooja.anand15@yahoo.com
Introduction: For successful management of difficult paediatric airway intubation, proper preparation of airway along with a calm and sedated child with titrated doses of sedative agents is paramount.
Aim: To compare two different classes of sedative agents (Dexmedetomidine vs Fentanyl) regarding intubating conditions and comfort score of paediatric population at the time of awake fiberoptic intubation.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out among 40 paediatric patients, aged between 5-14 years those who underwent surgery for Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Clinical data relevant for this study was collected from the pre-format sheets of anaesthesia technique, attached with case files of the patients. Inj. dexmetedomidine bolus of 1 mcg/kg for 10 minutes followed by infusion at the rate 0.6 mcg/kg/hr in group A and Inj. fentanyl bolus dose of 2 mcg/ kg followed by infusion 1 mcg/kg/hr in group B were compared in terms of intubating conditions and patient co-operation. For data analysis Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM Inc.) was used. Patient characteristics in the two groups were compared using mean±SD and chi-square test.
Results: All the patients had successful intubation in first attempt in both the groups. In terms of airway preparation, out of total, 14 (35%) patients in group A had no secretions as compare to 4 (10%) patients of group B (p-value was 0.002). In terms of cough score, 13 (32.5%) patients in group A had no cough as compared to 3 (7.5%) patients in group B. Patients in group A were more comfortable at the time of insertion of Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy (FOB) with no or less resistance to FOB insertion (p-value was 0.043). Vocal cord conditions were favourable in both the groups and there was no difference.
Conclusion: Fiberoptic nasal intubation was found to be easier and safe in terms of patient comfort and preservation of patent airway with the use of dexmedetomidine, in paediatric TMJ ankylosis.