Effects of intraoperative continuous pumping of dexmedetomidine on postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing spinal surgery

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of intraoperative continuous pumping of dexmedetomidine on postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 3 257 patients undergoing spinal surgery between May, 2018 and April, 2019 collected from the medical record system of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. The patients were divided into dexmedetomidine (DEX) group and control group according to whether the patients received intraoperative continuous pumping of DEX. The occurrence of sleep disturbance on the first postoperative night (including sleep deprivation and repeated sleep disruption) was recorded and the incidence of sleep disturbance was compared between the 2 groups. Propensity score matching and subgroup analysis were carried out to further verify the incidences of sleep disturbance in the 2 groups. Results The incidence of sleep disturbance on the first postoperative night was 17.4% in DEX group and 29.4% in the control group (P < 0.000 1) in the unmatched cohort; the incidence was 18.5% the DEX group and 29.4% in the control group (P < 0.000 1) after propensity matching. Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of severe sleep disturbance was significantly lower in DEX group than in the control group following cervical vertebra surgeries (20.3% vs 28.9%, P=0.025), thoracic surgeries (14.6% vs 18.2%, P=0.580) and lumbar surgeries (16.9% vs 30.2%, P < 0.000 1). Conclusion Intraoperative continuous pumping of DEX helps to improve postoperative sleep quality and lower the incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing spinal surgeries.

Keywords

• dexmedetomidine
• postoperative sleep disturbance
• spine surgery
• intraoperative continuous pumping