Abstract: Objective: To investigate the application of dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane inhalation anesthesia in pediatric dental caries. Methods: Sixty children who underwent extensive dental treatment under general anesthesia were randomly divided into control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D), with 30 cases in each group. All children were induced by sevoflurane. After anesthesia, the dexmedetomidine load was 0.5 μg/kg, and then maintained at 0.5 μg/(kg·h) in group D. However, group C was given an equal dose of normal saline. The children in group C was inhaled sevoflurane to maintain anesthesia and maintained BIS 40-60 during surgery. The incidence of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and recovery time of anesthesia and pediatric emergence delirium were recorded. Results: Compared with group C, the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) and modified Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (m-CHEOPS) in group D were significantly lower than those in group C. There were significant differences in MAP and HR between group D at T2, T3 and T4. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane inhalation anesthesia can reduce pediatric emergence delirium and postoperative pain in children.

Key words: Dexmedetomidine, Sevoflurane, Postoperative delirium