Effect on the behaviour of dexmedetomidine as anaesthetic premedication in the paediatric population: a prospective observational study.

Premedication in the pediatric population is of vital importance to reduce anxiety and facilitate anesthetic induction. Midazolam and ketamine have been used for this purpose, drugs that have shown long-term changes in neurodevelopment. Dexmedetomidine promotes a sedative, analgesic effect and lacks neurotoxic effects, its intranasal application is easy and minimally invasive. We studied the sedative and behavioral effect of intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 mcg/kg in ASA 1 and 2 children for elective surgery. They were evaluated at 10, 20 and 30 minutes of administered, in the separation of the parents and placement of the mask for inhalation induction with behavioral and sedation scores (classified from 1 to 4), we considered acceptable for admission to operating room categories 3 and 4. RESULTS: Thirty patients between 1 and 10 years old were included in the period from September 2017 to April 2018. The sedation score obtained at 30minutes was acceptable in 46.6% of the patients and the behavior score was in 96% of the cases. In 63% of cases the acceptance of the facial mask placement for inhalation induction was achieved. The procedure was well tolerated in all cases and parents were satisfied in 100% of the cases.