# Effect of Intravenous Aminophylline on Hemodynamics and Recovery of Patients Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Under Dexmedetomidine Hypotensive Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Study

## TL;DR

Aminophylline improves recovery and reduces postoperative sedation in sinus surgery patients using dexmedetomidine without affecting hemodynamics.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that aminophylline infusion during surgery accelerates recovery and reduces sedation without hemodynamic changes.

## Key findings

- Aminophylline group had significantly shorter extubation and PACU discharge times.
- Ramsay sedation scores were significantly lower in the aminophylline group post-extubation.
- No significant differences in intraoperative hemodynamics or complications between groups.

## Abstract

The sympatholytic property of dexmedetomidine (DEX) makes it suitable as a hypotensive drug during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS); however, delayed emergence from anesthesia and high postoperative sedation have been reported.

Delayed emergence from anesthesia and high postoperative sedation are associated with a prolonged length of stay in the operating room and the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), which increases health care costs. This study aimed to overcome the negative impact of DEX on recovery by using aminophylline.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 52 patients planned for elective FESS under general anesthesia with DEX infusion for controlled hypotension during surgery. Patients were equally divided into 2 groups. The aminophylline group received 4 mg/kg aminophylline diluted in 50 mL saline 0.9% over 30 minutes after positioning in a 20-degree reverse Trendelenburg position. The control group received 50 mL saline 0.9% with a similar volume and period as the aminophylline group.

The extubation time was significantly shorter in the aminophylline group (6.5 (5.25 - 7.75) minutes) than in the control group (9 (7.25 - 10) minutes) (P-value < 0.001). The PACU discharge time was significantly shorter in the aminophylline group (15 (10 - 20) minutes) compared to the control group (20 (15 - 28.75) minutes) (P-value = 0.036). Intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial pressure were nonsignificantly different between the 2 groups. Ramsay sedation score measurements at 15 min, 30 min, and 60 min after extubation were significantly lower in the aminophylline than in the control group (P-value < 0.05). Complications were nonsignificantly different between the 2 groups.

Intraoperative aminophylline infusion enhances the recovery of patients undergoing FESS under DEX hypotensive anesthesia without intraoperative hemodynamic alterations and decreases their postoperative sedation without significant postoperative side effects.