Objective: To probe into the anesthetic and sedative effects of dexmedetomidine combined with hydromorphone nasal drip in sedation of mother-infant separation before adenoidectomy. Methods: From Jan. 2021 to Aug. 2022

60 children undergoing elective adenoidectomy were selected to be divided into the observation group and control group via the random number table method

with 30 cases in each group. The observation group received 1. 5 μg/ kg dexmedetomidine combined with 30 μg/ kg hydromorphone nasal drip before surgery

and the control group was given 1. 5 μg/ kg dexmedetomidine nasal drop before surgery. The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores of two groups were compared before (T0)

5 min after nasal drops (T1)

15 min after nasal drops (T2)

and 25 min after nasal drops (T3)

as well as the sedation emotion score at mother-infant separation (T4)

Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at vein opening (T5)

and changes in pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) and heart rate (HR) at various time points. Furthermore

the mask acceptance score during general anesthesia induction

agitation scores during recovery

and postoperative adverse drug reactions were compared. Results: The RASS scores at T1 to T3

ESS at T5 and agitation score during recovery in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0. 05). The sedation emotion score at T4 and the mask acceptance score during general anesthesia induction in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0. 05). The number of children who woke up and cried

the number of children who needed assisted anesthesia in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in the changes of HR and SpO2 at T0 to T5 between two groups (P>0. 05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions between two groups was not statistically significant (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine combined with hydromorphone preoperative nasal drops is safe and effective

facilitates quiet separation of children undergoing adenoidectomy from their parents

and has few adverse drug reactions

and deserves further application.