Effects of Different Administration Routes of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy

Summary

Patients undergoing thyroid surgery often experience significant preoperative anxiety and show high concern about voice changes, scar formation and other related issues. Postoperative neck discomfort and dysphagia also tend to disrupt normal sleep. Dexmedetomidine activates α₂ receptors in the mesencephalic-pontine-medullary reticular formation, inhibits the release of norepinephrine, and induces a sleep state similar to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, particularly the N2 stage, which is closer to physiological sleep. This study aimed to explore the effects of intranasal spray versus intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine on postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. By optimizing preoperative pharmacological intervention, it intends to improve patients' postoperative sleep quality, relieve pain and reduce postoperative adverse reactions, enhance recovery quality, and optimize patients' satisfaction and comfort level.

Timeline

Start

2025-09-01

Primary completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-07-31

Publications

• Background Wang L, Liang XQ, Sun YX, Hua Z, Wang DX. Effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine on sleep quality in adult patients after noncardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 5;19(12):e0314814. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314814. eCollection 2024.
• Background Maras Baydogan G, Surme Y, Kutuk Karasungur S. The challenges experienced by patients in the early period after thyroidectomy and the effects on sleep quality. Support Care Cancer. 2025 May 1;33(5):438. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09483-w.
• Background Koo DL, Park Y, Nam H, Chai YJ. Sleep quality of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a prospective longitudinal study with 5-year follow-up. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 5;12(1):18823. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-23549-3.
• Background Liu H, Wei H, Qian S, Liu J, Xu W, Luo X, Fang J, Liu Q, Cai F. Effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Anesthesiol. 2023 Mar 21;23(1):88. doi: 10.1186/s12871-023-02048-6.
• Background Wang Y, Jin Z, Xu W, Chen K, Wei L, Yang D, Deng X, Tong S. Clinical observation of dexmedetomidine nasal spray in the treatment of sleep disorders on the first night after undergoing maxillofacial surgery: a single-center double-blind randomized controlled study. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2023 Oct 3;26:11699. doi: 10.3389/jpps.2023.11699. eCollection 2023.
• Background He J, Zhang X, Li C, Fu B, Huang Y, Li H. Dexmedetomidine nasal administration improves perioperative sleep quality and neurocognitive deficits in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia. BMC Anesthesiol. 2024 Jan 30;24(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s12871-024-02417-9.
• Background Wu J, Liu X, Ye C, Hu J, Ma D, Wang E. Intranasal dexmedetomidine improves postoperative sleep quality in older patients with chronic insomnia: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Nov 16;14:1223746. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1223746. eCollection 2023.
• Background Li X, Yan L, Wang L, Chen H, Yang B. Study on the preventive effect of dexmedetomidine on anesthetic associated sleep disturbance in young to middle-aged female patients undergoing hysteroscopy: a study protocol for a crossover randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2024 Jul 15;25(1):480. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08311-6.
• Background Yang WY, Huang K, Lin ZJ, Zeng W, Liu X, Liu HB, Zhong ML, Wei J, Liang WD, Wang LF, Chen L. Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for the Management of Preoperative Anxiety-Related Insomnia: A Randomized, Three-Blinded, Clinical Trial Compared with Lorazepam and Placebo. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Dec 17;18:6061-6073. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S487463. eCollection 2024.

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