Background: The utilization of sevoflurane as inhalational agent may cause emergence agitation (EA)during recovery from general anesthesia. EA has also been specified to emergence delirium, and sometimes it is accompanied with negative postoperative behaviors. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of magnesium sulphate and dexmedetomidine infusion on prevention of EA after sevoflurane anesthesia in adult patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Patients and methods: This study was carried out at Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management Department, Qena university Hospital on 50 adult patients undergoing PCNL under general anesthesia using sevoflurane as inhalational agent. Participants were divided into two groups: group I (25 patients) received initial intravenous magnesium sulphate and group II (25 patients) received dexmedetomidine infusion.
Results: There was statistically significant difference between both groups regarding Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS). The mean VAS was 7.2 (SD 1.9) and 2.6 (SD 0.9) among groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between both groups regarding VAS and hemodynamics
Conclusion: Intraoperative infusion of either dexmedetomidine or magnesium sulfate after sevoflurane in adult patients undergoing PCNL decreased postoperative agitation and pain intensity with the superiority of dexmedetomidine. However, the magnesium sulfate gives more hemodynamic stability, so it was preferred for patients with severe comorbidities.