Postoperative Sleep Disturbances

This study evaluates whether acupuncture at specific body points before and after surgery can improve sleep quality and reduce long-term postoperative pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung cancer resection. Eligible adult patients will be randomly assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham (placebo) acupuncture in addition to standard care. Chronic pain will be assessed during hospital stay and up to 6 months after surgery.

In the aftermath of major surgery, many patients suffer from pain, fatigue, reduced general well-being, and cognitive dysfunction. Another common concern after major surgery is sleep impairment and there is little known about its effect on postoperative morbidity, especially postoperative fatigue and muscle function. Dexmedetomidine has been shown to possibly improve postoperative sleep quality in critically ill patients. However, whether the administration of dexmedetomidine translates into reduced postoperative fatigue and/or weakness and improved enhanced recovery after surgery by improving sleep, is currently unknown. The DEXSLEEP study will evaluate the effect of nocturnal administration of dexmedetomidine, as compared to placebo (i.e. no dexmedetomidine), on postoperative quality of recovery, postoperative fatigue and muscle weakness.

Sleep disturbances are common early after major surgery, and are associated with delayed recovery. A previous study showed that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination as a supplement to patient-controlled intravenous analgesia improved postoperative analgesia and subjective sleep quality in patients after scoliosis correction surgery. The purpose of this trial is to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination used as a supplement during general anesthesia and postoperative intravenous analgesia may reduce sleep disturbances in adult after major noncardiac surgery.