The effect of opioid-free general anesthesia on the perioperative inflammation and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy

Patients in dexmedetomidine group showed lower pain scores at 30 min after surgery compared to those with remifentanil (NRS; 6.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.0 ± 1.9, P<0.001). Proportion of patients requiring rescue analgesics were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group (25% vs. 66.7%, P<0.001). Compared to remifentanil, dexmedetomidine did not increase time of awakening, extubation and postoperative sedation level. Dexmedetomidine also showed lower incidence of intraoperative hypotension and postoperative nausea, vomiting and shivering.