Anesthetic management for medialization laryngoplasty using concurrent infusions of dexmedetomidine, remifentanil, and propofol versus controls.

Purpose: Medialization laryngoplasty (ML) +/- arytenoid adduction (AA) surgery poses a unique anesthetic challenge that requires periods of deep sedation and patient cooperation with phonation to assess voice function. The purpose of this study was to assess if the protocolized administration of dexmedetomidine, remifentanil, and propofol (DRP) is associated with reduced procedural duration and administration of other sedating medications. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective 2:1 case matched study design; matched on age, sex, body mass index, AA, and surgical revision status. Data was obtained from the electronic medical record of a tertiary referral center. Cases underwent ML AA using DRP. Control subjects underwent surgery ML +/- AA without DRP. Results: 58 DRP cases (43.1% AA) were matched with 116 control patients (44.8% AA). DRP was associated with decreases in fentanyl dose (50 [25, 1001 vs. 100 [50, 150] mcg; p < 0.01), incidence and dose of midazolam (4 [6.9%] vs. 70 [60.3%]; p < 0.01; 1 [1, 1] vs. 2 [2, 2]; p < 0.02), operative duration (131 +/- 33 vs. 160 +/- 50 min; p < 0.01), and anesthetic duration (182 +/- 35 vs. 219 +/- 60.3 min; p < 0.01). When adjusted for timeline, it was observed that case duration was declining prior to DRP introduction; this trend persisted after DRP introduction. Hypopnea was more common with DRP (14 [24.1%] vs. 7 [6.0%]; p < 0.01). Conclusions: DRP was associated with a substantial decrease in opioid and benzodiazepine administration. A reduction in procedural duration over time was also observed.