Research Article

Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study

Volume: 53 Number: 1 March 10, 2026
EN TR

Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to observe the effects of two different doses of dexmedetomidine infusion in supratentorial craniotomies on intraoperative hemodynamics, inhaled anesthetic, and perioperative opioid consumption. The study also examines whether the method reduces adverse events such as postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting. Methods: Ninety patients aged between 18 and 70 classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists class I–II who underwent supratentorial craniotomy under elective conditions and who received dexmedetomidine infusion (0.2 and 0.4 μg.kg−1h−1 ) or not were observed. Intraoperative hemodynamic data, remifentanil and sevoflurane consumption, postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting scores, and total opioid consumption were evaluated. Results: Hemodynamic data of the patients were similar. Sevoflurane consumption intraoperatively and opioid consumption both intraoperatively and postoperatively decreased significantly in the patients receiving dexmedetomidine infusion (p < 0.001). The pain and nausea/vomiting scores were similar in the postoperative period. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion during general anesthesia for supratentorial craniotomies reduces inhaled anesthetic and perioperative opioid consumption without causing any hemodynamic side effects.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The Ethics Committee of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine (Institutional Review Board for Non-Interventional Clinical Research) approved this study on 03.01.2022 (Ethical Committee No: 337872).

References

  1. 1.Dilmen OK, Akcil EF, Tunali Y, et al. Postoperativeanalgesia for supratentorial craniotomy, Clin.Neurol. Neurosurg. 2016;146:90–95.
  2. 2.White PF. Multimodal analgesia: its role inpreventing postoperative pain,Curr. Opin. Investig.Drugs 2008;9:76–82.
  3. 3.Hendrickx JFA, Nielsen OJ, De Hert S, De Wolf AM.The science behind banning desflurane: A narrativereview. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2022;39(10):818-824.
  4. 4.Jellish WS, Leonetti JP, Sawicki K, Anderson D,Origitano TC. Morphine/ondansetron PCA forpostoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting after skullbase surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2006;135(2):175-81.
  5. 5.Morad AH, Winters BD, Yaster M, et al. Efficacy ofintravenous patient-controlled analgesia aftersupratentorial intracranial surgery: a prospectiverandomized controlled trial. Clinical article. JNeurosurg. 2009;111(2):343-50.
  6. 6.Liu Y, Liang F, Liu X, et al. Dexmedetomidinereduces perioperative opioid consumption andpostoperative pain intensity in neurosurgery: ameta-analysis. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol2018;30:146–55.
  7. 7.Wenjie W, Houqing L, Gengyun S. Effects ofdexmedetomidine on outcomes followingcraniocerebral operation - a meta-analysis. ClinNeurol Neurosurg 2014;125:194–7.
  8. 8.Bekker A, Sturaitis M, Bloom M, et al. The effect ofdexmedetomidine on perioperative hemodynamics in patients undergoing craniotomy. Anesth Analg. 2008;107(4):1340-7.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration, Medical Education, Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mahmut Baran Kasisari * This is me
Türkiye

Eren Fatma Akcil This is me
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 10, 2026

Submission Date

December 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 53 Number: 1

APA
Kasisari, M. B., Akcil, E. F., Korkmaz Dilmen, Ö., & Tunalı, Y. (2026). Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study. Dicle Medical Journal, 53(1), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1906465
AMA
1.Kasisari MB, Akcil EF, Korkmaz Dilmen Ö, Tunalı Y. Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026;53(1):129-136. doi:10.5798/dicletip.1906465
Chicago
Kasisari, Mahmut Baran, Eren Fatma Akcil, Özlem Korkmaz Dilmen, and Yusuf Tunalı. 2026. “Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Pain, Perioperative Opioid Consumption and Hemodynamics in Supratentorial Craniotomies: Observational Study”. Dicle Medical Journal 53 (1): 129-36. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1906465.
EndNote
Kasisari MB, Akcil EF, Korkmaz Dilmen Ö, Tunalı Y (March 1, 2026) Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study. Dicle Medical Journal 53 1 129–136.
IEEE
[1]M. B. Kasisari, E. F. Akcil, Ö. Korkmaz Dilmen, and Y. Tunalı, “Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study”, Dicle Medical Journal, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 129–136, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.5798/dicletip.1906465.
ISNAD
Kasisari, Mahmut Baran - Akcil, Eren Fatma - Korkmaz Dilmen, Özlem - Tunalı, Yusuf. “Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Pain, Perioperative Opioid Consumption and Hemodynamics in Supratentorial Craniotomies: Observational Study”. Dicle Medical Journal 53/1 (March 1, 2026): 129-136. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1906465.
JAMA
1.Kasisari MB, Akcil EF, Korkmaz Dilmen Ö, Tunalı Y. Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026;53:129–136.
MLA
Kasisari, Mahmut Baran, et al. “Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Pain, Perioperative Opioid Consumption and Hemodynamics in Supratentorial Craniotomies: Observational Study”. Dicle Medical Journal, vol. 53, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 129-36, doi:10.5798/dicletip.1906465.
Vancouver
1.Mahmut Baran Kasisari, Eren Fatma Akcil, Özlem Korkmaz Dilmen, Yusuf Tunalı. Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, perioperative opioid consumption and hemodynamics in supratentorial craniotomies: Observational study. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026 Mar. 1;53(1):129-36. doi:10.5798/dicletip.1906465