Abstract:Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine application at different time in preventing catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) during recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods Sixty patients undergoing spinal surgery were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20 each). Dexmedetomidine 0.5μg/kg was intravenously pumped 15 min before anesthesia induction (group A) or 30 min before the end of surgery (group B). While equal volume of normal saline was given in group C. All groups started catheterization after endotracheal intubation. Recorded operation time, the time for recovery of spontaneous breathing, recovery time, extubation time, CRBD score and Ramsay score 5 min (T1), 30 min (T2), 1 hour (T3) after extubation were also recorded. Results Compared with group C, no significant difference was found in CRBD score in group A (P > 0.05). CRBD score was significantly decreased in group B at T1-3 (P < 0.05). Compared with group A, CRBD score at T2-3 was significantly decreased in group B (P < 0.05). At T1-3, Ramsay score in group B was significantly higher than that in group A and group C (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time, spontaneous breathing time, recovery time or extubation time among the three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Dexmedetomidine application 30 min before the end of surgery can effectively prevent the occurrence of CRBD during recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing general anesthesia and doesn’t prolong the anesthesia recovery time.