Perioperative dexmedetomidine cuts PTSD risk in trauma patients

In a randomized trial involving 310 trauma patients undergoing emergency surgery, PTSD at 1 month postop occurred in 14.1% of dexmedetomidine recipients vs. 24.0% of controls. Dexmedetomidine or placebo (normal saline) was given at a dose of 0.1 μg/kg hourly from start of anesthesia until end of surgery and at the same rate after surgery from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on days 1 to 3.