Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) in the steep Trendelenburg (ST).
Materials and methods: Sixty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups. The dexmedetomidine group (Group D, n=34) received a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.4 μg kg(-1) hour(-1) from the induction of anesthesia until the end of the ST position, while the control group (Group C, n=34) received an equal volume of physiologic saline at the same rate under conventional general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil. IOP was measured at 11 predefined time points for all patients.
Results: Significant differences in IOP were detected between the two groups by a linear mixed model analysis (p<0.001). The highest mean IOP was 19.9±5.0 mm Hg in Group D and 25.7±5.0 mm Hg in Group C; both were measured 60 minutes after the patients had been placed in the ST position. No significant between-group differences in ocular perfusion pressure, mean blood pressure, or heart rate were observed between the two groups. No ocular or other complications were noted.
Conclusion: Intraoperative continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine may help alleviate IOP increase in patients undergoing RALRP in the ST position.