Impact of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Opiate-Addicted Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common complications of general anesthesia, moreover opioid addiction increases the risk of PONV. Hence, this study evaluates the effect of administering dexmedetomidine infusion as an intraoperative analgesic on PONV in opium-addicted patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 

In a randomized clinical trial, 100 opium-addicted patients who were candidates for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery under general anesthesia were studied in two groups of 50 participants. The intervention group received dexmedetomidine infusion 10 min after induction of anesthesia until the end of surgery. The placebo group received normal saline at the same time. The rate of PONV was compared between the two groups. 

Both groups had no significant difference in terms of hemodynamic parameters during surgery, including pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and duration of anesthesia. In the dexmedetomidine group, patients had less PONV than the control group, and this difference was significant (p=0.0164). 

Dexmedetomidine administration during laparoscopic surgery can reduce PONV, especially in patients addicted to opium.