Supplemental Digital Content 3: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) sedation scores
DEX + Ropiv
PACU Time 0 (%)
0
9.7
-1
58.1
-2
29.0
-3
3.2
PACU Time 30 (%)
0
29.0
-1
64.5
-2
6.5
PACU Time 60 (%)
0
52.4
-1
47.6
Ropiv
16.1
74.2
9.7
0.0
48.4
51.6
77.3
22.7
This table displays the PACU sedation scales for both groups. Sedation scores in the
post-anesthesia care unit were assessed using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale
(RASS). Scores increased over time in the PACU in both groups (p < 0.00001). Lower
scores were seen in the Dexmedetomidine Group, but there were no significant
differences in sedation between groups (p = 0.054). All of the patients were monitored at
times 0 and 30 min in the PACU; however, only 21 of the 31 patients in the
Dexmedetomidine Group and 22 of the 31 patients in the Ropivacaine Group were still
present for assessment at the 60 min time point, as other patients had been discharged to
the ward. Data displayed as the percentage of patients in each group for each category of
the ordinal sedation scale.
RASS scores: 0 = Alert and calm; -1 = Drowsy (not fully alert, but has sustained
awakening [eye opening, eye contact to voice ≥ 10 sec]); -2 = Light sedation (Briefly
awakens with eye contact to voice [<10 sec]); -3 = Moderate sedation (Movement or eye
opening to voice [but no eye contact]).