Biomedical Research

Objective: This study compared the post-anesthesia delirium in elderly patients treated with Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam Maleate after thoracic surgery.

Methods: A total of 92 elderly patients treated with thoracic surgery in our hospital from June to September 2015 were selected. Digital random method was used to equally divide them into group A (n=46) and group B (n=46). Both groups were given with a continuous intravenous pumping of fentanyl for analgesia. Dexmedetomidine for group A and Midazolam Maleate for group B, and the delirium occurrence rates of patients in the two groups after the surgery were compared.

Results: Awaking time 4.92 ± 1.18 min, breathing recovery time 10.53 ± 2.25 min, and extubation time 11.36 ± 2.63 min of patients in group A were significantly shorter than those in group B (P<0.05). Postoperative delirium occurrence rate of 6.52% in group A was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference between the two groups had statistical significance (P<0.05). Difference between two groups before surgery in Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) scores was not significant without statistical significance (P>0.05). The MMSE scores 27.01 ± 0.46, 27.22 ± 0 .50, 27.73 ± 0.54 and 28.62 ± 0.63 of patients in group A and 6 h and 1, 2 and 3 d after the surgery were significantly higher than those in the control group, and comparative difference between the two groups had statistical significance (P<0.05). In comparison between group A and group B in visual analog scale scores at time nodes before induction, after intubation, and upon surgery completion, the difference did not have statistical significance (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine can improve the postoperative cognitive functions of elderly patients treated with thoracic surgery and reduce postoperative delirium.

Author(s): Dong-Nan Yu, Yi Zhu, Jue Ma, Qiang Sun
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