Effects of dexmedetomidine on oxygenation and inflammatory factors in patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) can aggravate lung inflammatory reactions in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist that can alleviate lung injury. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Dex on oxygenation and inflammatory factors in patients undergoing UPPP in the early perioperative period. Methods Patients with OSAS undergoing UPPP were randomly allocated to the Dex Group or Control Group. Arterial blood gas analyses were performed, and the respiratory index (RI) and oxygenation index (OI) were calculated upon entering the operating room (T-0) and immediately after surgery (T-3). The inflammatory factors tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured at T-0 and T-3. Results A total of 44 patients with OSAS were randomized. There was no significant difference in basic patient characteristics between the two groups. The preoperative RI and OI were not significantly different between the two groups, but they were altered immediately after surgery relative to the corresponding preoperative value (p < 0.05). Compared with the Control Group, the RI was significantly lower at T-3 in the Dex Group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the OI between the two groups (p = 0.128). The inflammatory factors TNF-alpha (p < 0.001) and IL-6 (p = 0.018) were lower, while IL-10 was higher in the Dex Group than in the Control Group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can improve the oxygenation and inhibit the inflammatory response in patients undergoing UPPP in the early perioperative period.