Randomised Study Comparing the Use of Propofol Versus Dexmedetomidine as a Sedative Agent for Patients Presenting for Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Objectives: Dexmedetomidine, the alpha 2 agonist sedative and an analgesic agent may be beneficial in sedation for endoscopic intervention. Our aim was to compare the use of dexmedetomidine versus the traditional use of propofol as a sedative agent for colonoscopies. Methods: This study included 100 patients presenting for elective colonoscopy under sedation with random and equal allocation of patients into two groups; group P, in which patients received propofol in a loading dose of 1.5 mg/kg and maintenance dose of 0.5 mg/kg/hr. and group D, in which patients received dexmedetomidine at a loading dose of lug/kg and maintenance dose of 0.5 ug/kg/hr. In addition to the demographic data, time to recovery, time of discharge, and endoscopist rating were measured. Also, the hemodynamic parameters were recorded, and also the incidence of postoperative complications. Results: The basic patients' characteristics, time to recovery, and time of discharge were comparable between the two groups. Moreover, the endoscopist did not significantly report more convenient procedure with one group over the other. Also, there was no significant difference in hemodynamic parameters or in the incidence of complications between the two studied groups. However the use of dexmedetomidine decreased the incidence of hypoxemia. Conclusion: The use of dexmedetomidine seems to have a similar effect to the use of propofol as a sedative agent for lower GIT endoscopy with the positive effect of dexmedetomidine in decreasing the incidence of perioperative hypoxemia.