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Propofol Target-Controlled Infusion Versus Dexmedetomidine for Sedation During Chronic Subdural Hematoma Surgery Under Local Anesthesia
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurology, Tunisia
Summary
Chronic subdural hematoma is a collection of old blood on the surface of the brain that mainly affects older adults. It is often treated by draining the blood through a small hole in the skull (burr hole), under local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation while the patient keeps breathing spontaneously. Propofol and dexmedetomidine are the two sedatives most commonly used for this purpose. This randomized pilot study will compare how well each drug maintains a moderate and stable level of sedation during surgery. Sixty adults will be randomly assigned to receive either propofol by target-controlled infusion or dexmedetomidine. The main outcome is the percentage of surgical time spent at the target sedation level, defined as a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score between -2 and -3. The study will also compare the time needed to reach the target sedation, breathing and cardiovascular side effects, sedation failures, recovery time, and surgeon and anesthesiologist satisfaction. The results will be used to estimate the sample size of a future confirmatory trial.
Official title: Propofol Versus Dexmedetomidine for Sedation During Chronic Subdural Hematoma Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-11-01
Completion Date
2027-04-30
Last Updated
2026-11-03
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Dexmedetomidine
Loading dose of 1 µg/kg over 10 minutes, then 0.6 µg/kg/h. Increased by 0.2 µg/kg/h every 10 minutes if RASS \> -2; decreased by 0.2 µg/kg/h if RASS = -4; temporarily stopped if RASS = -5, apnea or airway obstruction, and restarted at a rate reduced by 0.2 µg/kg/h once RASS ≥ -3. Range 0.2 to 1.0 µg/kg/h. Stopped at the end of skin closure.
Propofol (Astra-Zeneca)
Target-controlled infusion (Schnider model, effect-site mode) started at an effect-site concentration of 1.0 µg/mL. Increased by 0.3 µg/mL every 5 minutes if RASS \> -2; decreased by 0.3 µg/mL if RASS = -4 and by 0.5 µg/mL if RASS = -5, apnea, or airway obstruction. Maximum 3.0 µg/mL. No manual boluses. Stopped at the end of skin closure.