An interventional study of Dexmedetomidine and Remifentanil in Sedation, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy, sponsored by Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 85 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-16.
Sponsored by Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will compare two different sedation approaches used during gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). One group will receive dexmedetomidine alone (opioid-free sedation), while the other group will receive dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil (opioid-based sedation).
The purpose of the study is to determine whether an opioid-free sedation approach can reduce opioid-related adverse symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and fatigue. The study will also evaluate quality of recovery, patient and healthcare staff satisfaction, hemodynamic effects, complications, and time to discharge after the procedure.
Safe and comfortable sedation is essential for endoscopic procedures performed outside the operating room. Various sedation strategies have been developed to improve patient safety, procedural conditions, and recovery profiles. Opioids are commonly used as part of sedation regimens; however, opioid administration may be associated with adverse symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, pruritus, dry mouth, and headache.
This prospective randomized double-blind study will compare dexmedetomidine alone (opioid-free approach) with a combination of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil (opioid-based approach) for sedation during gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Eighty ASA physical status I-III patients aged 18-80 years will be enrolled at a single center.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Study medications will be prepared by an independent anesthesiologist to maintain blinding. In both groups, dexmedetomidine infusion will be administered. The comparison group will additionally receive remifentanil infusion according to the study protocol.
The primary objective is to determine whether the opioid-free approach reduces the incidence of opioid-related adverse symptoms. Secondary objectives include evaluation of postoperative quality of recovery using the QoR-15 questionnaire and assessment of patient, surgeon, and recovery nurse satisfaction. Additional outcomes include hemodynamic parameters, sedation scores, pain scores, rescue analgesic requirements, discharge time, post-anesthesia care unit requirements, and procedure- or anesthesia-related complications.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will receive dexmedetomidine infusion for procedural sedation. Dexmedetomidine infusion will be initiated at 0.7 mcg/kg/h. Five minutes later, a placebo infusion (100 mL isotonic saline) will be started. Sedation will be induced with propofol 1.5 mg/kg IV bolus and maintained according to the study protocol.
Drug: Dexmedetomidine
Participants will receive dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.7 mcg/kg/h. Five minutes later, remifentanil infusion will be initiated at 0.01-0.03 mcg/kg/min. Sedation will be induced with propofol 1.5 mg/kg IV bolus and maintained according to the study protocol.
Drug: Dexmedetomidine · Drug: Remifentanil
Dexmedetomidine 200 mcg diluted in 100 mL isotonic saline and administered according to the study protocol.
Remifentanil 5 mg diluted in 100 mL isotonic saline and administered according to the study protocol.
Incidence of Opioid-Related Adverse Symptoms
Incidence of opioid-related adverse symptoms including nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, difficulty staying awake, dizziness, sleepiness, general fatigue or weakness, pruritus, dry mouth, and headache. The occurrence of one or more symptoms will be recorded and compared between the opioid-free and opioid-based sedation groups.
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural: from procedure start through recovery room discharge, approximately 2-4 hours
Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) Score
Postprocedural quality of recovery assessed using the QoR-15 questionnaire. The QoR-15 is a 15-item instrument evaluating five dimensions: physical comfort (5 items), emotional state (4 items), physical independence (2 items), psychological support (2 items), and pain (2 items). Each item is scored 0-10 on a Likert scale; total score ranges from 0 (worst) to 150 (best quality of recovery). Administered to all patients before the procedure (baseline) and after the procedure before discharge.
Time frame: Baseline (before the procedure) and within 2 hours after the procedure, before discharge from the recovery area
Patient Satisfaction Score
Patient satisfaction assessed using a verbal rating scale from 1 to 10 (1: not satisfied at all, 10: very satisfied). Administered once after the procedure before discharge from the recovery area.
Time frame: Within 1 hour after the procedure, before discharge from the recovery area
Surgeon Satisfaction Score
Surgeon satisfaction with procedural conditions assessed using a verbal rating scale from 1 to 10 (1: not satisfied at all, 10: very satisfied). Assessed immediately after the procedure.
Time frame: Immediately after the procedure
Recovery Nurse Satisfaction Score
Recovery nurse satisfaction assessed using a verbal rating scale from 1 to 10 (1: not satisfied at all, 10: very satisfied). Assessed during the recovery period before discharge.
Time frame: During the recovery period, before discharge
Pain and Analgesic Outcomes
Postprocedural pain assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10). Target VAS \<4. Rescue analgesia administered as IV paracetamol 1g; tramadol 50 mg IV if insufficient. Total rescue analgesic consumption recorded.
Time frame: During the recovery period before discharge
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Requirement
Need for post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) admission following the procedure. Discharge from the recovery unit will be based on the Modified Aldrete Score. The Modified Aldrete Score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better recovery status. Patients with a score of ≥9 will be considered eligible for discharge from the recovery unit.
Time frame: Immediately after the procedure
Heart Rate
Heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm) at 6 standardized time points: (1) on arrival to the procedure room, (2) immediately after induction, (3) 3 minutes after procedure start, (4) 15 minutes after procedure start, (5) at the end of the procedure, (6) on arrival to the recovery room.
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural, at 6 predefined time points over approximately 1-3 hours
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)
Mean arterial pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) at 6 standardized time points: (1) on arrival to the procedure room, (2) immediately after induction, (3) 3 minutes after procedure start, (4) 15 minutes after procedure start, (5) at the end of the procedure, (6) on arrival to the recovery room.
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural, at 6 predefined time points over approximately 1-3 hours
Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Peripheral oxygen saturation measured as percentage (%) at 6 standardized time points: (1) on arrival to the procedure room, (2) immediately after induction, (3) 3 minutes after procedure start, (4) 15 minutes after procedure start, (5) at the end of the procedure, (6) on arrival to the recovery room.
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural, at 6 predefined time points over approximately 1-3 hours
Ramsay Sedation Scale Score
Sedation depth assessed using the Ramsay Sedation Scale at 6 standardized time points: (1) on arrival to the procedure room, (2) immediately after induction, (3) 3 minutes after procedure start, (4) 15 minutes after procedure start, (5) at the end of the procedure, (6) on arrival to the recovery room. Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS; ranging from 1 to 6, where 1 = anxious/agitated/restless and 6 = no response to stimulus; higher scores indicate deeper sedation)
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural, at 6 predefined time points over approximately 1-3 hours
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data collected during this study will not be made publicly available.
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Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital