In a study comparing the effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients with gastric cancer, researchers found that both sedatives were equally effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The study included 104 elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer. The patients were divided into three groups: remimazolam, dexmedetomidine, and saline. The primary outcome measured was the incidence of POCD, while secondary outcomes included TNF-α and S-100β protein concentrations, hemodynamics, VAS scores, anesthesia recovery indicators, and postoperative adverse events. Both remimazolam and dexmedetomidine had lower incidences of POCD and higher MMSE and MoCA scores compared to the saline group. However, there were no statistically significant differences between remimazolam and dexmedetomidine in terms of the primary and secondary outcomes measured. These findings suggest that both remimazolam and dexmedetomidine are effective in reducing early POCD in elderly patients after gastric cancer surgery, potentially due to their ability to reduce inflammatory response.

PurposeTo compare the effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged gastric cancer patients.MethodsFrom June to December 2022, 104 elderly patients (aged 65–80 years) received laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Using the random number table approach, the patients were separated into three groups: remimazolam (Group R), dexmedetomidine (Group D), and saline (Group C). The primary outcome was the incidence of POCD, and secondary outcomes included TNF-α and S-100β protein concentrations, hemodynamics, VAS scores, anesthesia recovery indicators, and the occurrence of adverse events within 48 h postoperatively.ResultsAt 3 and 7 days after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of POCD, the MMSE and MoCA scores between groups R and D (p > 0.05). However, compared to the saline group, both groups had higher MMSE and MoCA scores and decreased incidences of POCD. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Between group R and group D, there were no statistically significant changes (p > 0.05) in the levels of TNF-α and S-100β protein at the three time points (at the end of the surgery, 1 day later, and 3 days later). Even though neither group’s concentration of the two factors was as high as that of the saline group, the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). At all three time points—following induction (T2), 30 min into the operation (T3), and at the conclusion of the surgery (T4)—the heart rate and blood pressure in group R were greater than those in groups D and C. Statistics showed that the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative hypotension was highest in group D and lowest in group R (p < 0.05). The dose of propofol and remifentanil, group C > group R > group D. Extubation and PACU residence times did not differ statistically significantly (p > 0.05) between the three groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between groups R and D after 24 h postoperatively (p > 0.05), although both had lower scores than group C, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The VAS scores between the three groups at 72 h (T6) and 7 days (T7) were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Adverse reactions such as respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, agitation, drowsiness, and nausea and vomiting had the lowest incidence in group R and the highest incidence in group C (p < 0.05).ConclusionRemimazolam is similarly beneficial as dexmedetomidine in lowering the incidence of early POCD in aged patients after radical gastric cancer resection, probably due to reduced inflammatory response.

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