Dexmedetomidine Versus Fentanyl Following Pressure Equalization Tube Placement

Pain Management Following Myringotomy and Tube Placement: Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Versus Fentanyl

This is a study to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine to intranasal fentanyl following anesthesia induction in patients undergoing myringotomy and placement of pressure equalization (PE) tubes in providing analgesia and smoothing emergence from general anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• functional status as assigned by the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification of I or II (no or minimal co-morbid disease)
• patients scheduled for placement of bilateral myringotomy tubes

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of allergy to either dexmedetomidine or fentanyl
• concomitant use of medications which may exaggerate the HR response of dexmedetomidine including digoxin or β-adrenergic antagonists.