Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on prognosis in patients with cancer undergoing surgical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Meta-analysis reveals inconsistent evidence regarding impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on cancer outcomes after surgery. RCTs suggest improved recurrence-free survival, whereas retrospective studies suggest potential reductions in overall survival.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with cancer undergoing surgical procedures12 studies: 6 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 6 retrospective
- Comparison
- Intraoperative dexmedetomidine vs no dexmedetomidine
- Outcome
- Overall survival and recurrence-free survival
Methodological detailsQuality: Cochrane tool for RCTs, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for retrospective studies
- Quality: Cochrane tool for RCTs, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for retrospective studies
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
DexmedetomidineEstimate (95% CI)P value
RCTs; no significant effect on overall survival
OR for death (overall survival) 0.87(0.67–1.13)
P = 0.29RCTs; improved recurrence-free survival
OR for recurrence (recurrence-free survival) 0.65(0.47–0.91)
P = 0.01Retrospective studies; decreased overall survival
post-matching HR for death (overall survival) 1.52(1.15–2.00)
P = 0.003Retrospective studies; no significant effect on recurrence-free survival
post-matching HR for recurrence (recurrence-free survival) 1.29(0.96–1.72)
P = 0.09Original publication
Effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on prognosis in patients with cancer undergoing surgical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth. Published 30 April 2025. doi:10.
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