• Chun Xiao, Bo Lu, Juan Yao, and Jian-liang Sun.
• Department of Anesthesiology, First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, China.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2013 Jan 1;93(1):44-7.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of dexmedetomidine in acute postoperative pain and remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia.MethodsFrom January 2011 to June 2012, 120 patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. All patients received intravenous remifentanil infusion during operation, and dexmedetomidine was given after anesthesia induction. The postoperative mechanical pain threshold, pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, morphine consumption, and score of sedation (Ramsay) was recorded.ResultsRelatively large-dose intraoperative remifentanil resulted in lower mechanical pain threshold and higher dose of postoperative morphine consumption. Dexmedetomidine reduced postoperative morphine consumption significantly, and increased Ramsay scores, but had no effect on mechanical hyperalgesia.ConclusionDexmedetomidine can alleviate the acute postoperative pain effectively, but the effect is not dependent on inhibiting remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia.

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